facilitating the patients for therapeutic groups

1. MHS Virtual Nursing Teaching Round
Topic Title:
Facilitating therapeutic group and Diversional
activities
Presented by:
(Rudresh)

2. Learning Outcomes
At the end of this webinar, the participants will:
1. To understand the basic concepts & benefits of activities.
2. Review on the stages on development of the group and its norms.
3. To Discuss how to facilitate therapeutic group
4. To evaluate effectiveness of therapeutic group.

3. Course Agenda
Time Agenda Presenter
5 Minutes  Introduction, Disclosure, and Ground Rules Lead Facilitator
5 Minutes  Key words: Therapeutic group, Diversional activities,
facilitator
5 Minutes
 Purpose of therapeutic group and Diversional activities
10 Minutes
 Stages of group forming
5 Minutes
 Qualites of facilitator
5 Minutes
 Role of the facilitator during the process
5 Minutes  How to development of cohesive, well-functioning
groups
5 Minutes
 Documentation
5 Minutes  Summary, Q&A, Feedback Lead Facilitator

4. Introduction
• “Some of the most comforting words in the universe are ‘me too.’ That
moment when you find out that your struggle is also someone else’s
struggle, that you’re not alone, and that others have been down the
same road.” – Anonymous

5. Therapeutic Group – is a goal‐directed activity with small groups of
people, aimed at meeting psychosocial needs of the participants, and it
is led by trained group facilitators.
OR
A form of psychotherapy that involves sessions guided by a therapist
and attended by several clients who confront their personal problems
together.

6. Diversional Activity “is a client centered practice
[that] recognizes that leisure and recreational
experiences are the right of all individuals.
The activities are for individuals and groups focusing on
• Creative activities with a worthwhile outcome.
• Giving purpose and meaning to life through activity and involvement.
• Encourage Communication, Expression, Socialization and to Reminiscence.
• Strategies that help with memory, orientation and mood swings.
• Strategies that help with Daily Living and Family Life.

7. • Therapeutic Group – Working Group - is the governing body for all
therapeutic groups and related activities in MHS. The group is composed
of nominated facilitators of nursing teams from different units of MHS.
• Trained Group Facilitators – Are registered nursing staffs who have
undergone clinical teaching rounds and reflection exercise on Facilitating
Therapeutic Group Course.
• Facilitator from each unit shall be nominated by their respective Head
Nurses, based on their skills, capabilities, and interest.

8. Goals Of Therapeutic groups
• Therapeutic groups shall be particularly useful in working with people
who have experienced a sense of isolation; allowing individuals to
connect with others with similar experiences.
• The therapeutic groups shall be established to deliver different
psychosocial interventions to manage the clients’ illness, treatment,
and enhance their self-care and living skills through identified
facilitators.

9. Types of Therapeutic Groups
• Cognitive behavioral groups, which center on identifying and changing
inaccurate or distorted thinking patterns, emotional responses, and
behaviors
• Interpersonal groups, which focus on interpersonal relationships and
social interactions, including how much support you have from others
and the impact these relationships have on mental health
• Psychoeducational groups, which focus on educating clients about their
disorders and ways of coping; often based on the principles of cognitive
behavior therapy (CBT)

10. Contd….
• Skills development groups, which focus on improving social skills in
people with mental disorders or developmental disabilities
• Support groups, which provide a wide range of benefits for people
with a variety of mental health conditions as well as their loved ones

11. Benefits of Therapeutic groups
• Support, Safety and Encouragement
Therapeutic group allows people to receive the support and
encouragement of the other members of the group. People participating in
the group can see that others are going through the same thing, which can
help them feel less alone.
• Role Modeling
Group members can serve as role models for other members of the
group. By observing someone successfully coping with a problem, in turn,
serve as a role model and support figure for others.

12. Contd..
• Insight on Social Skills
The therapist can provide valuable feedback to each client how
each person responds to other people and behaves in social situations.

13. Group Process:

14. Procedure:
1. Prior to planning a group, nominated facilitators shall identify the patient
needs, the level of understanding and scope of service of the unit.
2. Choose the topic or name of the group based on the assessment.
3. Explore the topic and aim of the group through literature review to ensure
alignment with the best available evidence.
4. Explore the topic and aim of the group through literature review to ensure
alignment with the best available evidence.

15. 5. Plan / Develop a strategy to encourage and engage patients to
participate in the therapeutic group.
6. Submit the proposed program to the Therapeutic Group - Working
Group for review, standardization, and to avoid duplication.
7. Once approved, prepare a timetable for the planned sessions of the
group
8. Ensure that each session starts and finishes on time.

16. 9. Each group must have a facilitator and a co-facilitator to ensure
safety in the group.
10. Facilitators must introduce themselves to the group and maintain
confidentiality of the group discussions.

17. Group Approaches
• Respect all members of the group.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• All members are expected to actively participate and cooperate during the
sessions.
• If breaking the rules once or twice, participants shall be reprimanded.
• If breaking the rules three times, they shall be asked to leave the group.

18. Adoption of Groups:
• Approved group programs can be adopted by all the units of MHS
based on the unit needs.
• Facilitators who are expert on the content of the group program can
offer their guidance to the units who adopt their program into their
unit.
• Any approved updates in the therapeutic group program by the unit
shall be cascaded to the adopting unit.
• All members join at the time the group is organized and terminate at
the end of the designate time period.

19. APPROACHES:
• Therapist role – Facilitator (Provides safe and comfortable environment).
• Focus on “Here and Now”.
• Protect members from any verbal abuse or scapegoating.
• Provide positive reinforcement.
• Therapist should approach the clients in a group in a gentle, supportive and
non threatening manner.

20. • Able to preserve the self – esteem of hallucinatory and delusional
patients.
• Must able to set limits for the undesired behaviors of the clients.
• Use Silence. Encourage Introspection and Facilitate Insight.
• Laughter and Moderate Joking contributes to group cohesiveness.
• Role – playing helps members to develop insight.

21. CONTRAINDICATIONS:
• Antisocial Patients
• Actively suicidal or severely depressed patients.
• Patients who are delusional.

22. TECHNIQUES:
• Reflecting or rewarding comments of group members.
• Asking for group reaction to one member's statement.
• Pointing out any shared feelings within the group.
• Summarizing various points at the end of the session.

23. • Some mental health group topics that can be covered in a
therapeutic group setting include:
Smoking cessation
Relapse prevention
Sleep hygiene
Covid Education
Healthy Life style

24. CONCLUSION:
• Therapeutic group plays a major role in rehabilitation of mentally ill
patient.
• It gives an opportunity for immediate feedback.
• It facilitates chance for therapist to observe the patients emotional and
behavioral response towards variety of people.
• Enhances patients IPR, Communication, decision making and assertive
skills.

25. Question and Answer

26. Course Summary

27. Course Feedback

28. Thank
You!