This document discusses the initial stage of group development. It outlines the main objectives as establishing trust, defining personal goals, introducing group norms and cohesion, and providing guidance for members. During the initial stage, members are orienting to the group setting and attempting to determine if it is safe. There is awkwardness and periods of silence as risk-taking is low. Common fears include judgment, appearing stupid, and not knowing what to expect. The document provides guidelines for building trust, therapeutic relationships, establishing goals, and defines the roles of leaders and members during the initial stage.

1. Initial Stage of a Group
Chapter 6

2. Main Objectives:
Chapter 6
● to identify and define the key
characteristics of a group during the
initial stage
● to provide a framework for the
establishment of trust in a group
● to show the importance of assisting
members in defining personal goals for
group participation
● to introduce the notions of group norms
and group cohesion
● to provide guidelines for assisting
members in getting the most from their
experience in a group
● to identify some of the major issues
facing co-leaders during the initial stage
● to describe guidelines for opening and
closing group sessions

4. Characteristics of the Initial Stage
● Initial stage of group is to orient to the group setting, set
norms, discuss fears, expectations. One of the main goals
that members are doing is attempting to figure out if group
is safe or not. Hope is discussed. The leader Is being
watched and observed – it is almost like being on a stage.
● There are periods of silence and awkwardness.
● Risk taking is relatively low

5. Commons Fears Experienced by Members
● During the initial stage of group, the less structured you are, the
more likely that anxiety will be heightened. Clients may become
uncomfortable due to not knowing what to talk about, leads to
hesitation, advice giving may increase due to some group
members feeling uncomfortable.
● There is concern about the judgement of others
● They are afraid to appear “stupid”
● They don’t know what to expect!

6. Discussion
Think of a type of group you might eventually
design and lead. What kind of orientation would
you want to provide for members during the
initial stage? What kinds of guidelines might you
offer to help members gain the most from their
group?

7. Attitudes and Behaviors that Generate Trust
● Careful attending and genuine listening
● Understanding nonverbal and verbal behavior
● Empathy
● Genuineness and self-disclosure
● Respect
● Caring confrontation

8. Therapeutic Relationship and Alliance
● Therapeutic Relationships in a group – Group climate, cohesion, and
alliances. These all contribute to positive changes within a client.
● Ways to help build the therapeutic alliance in a group – strive for
positive involvement, teach active participation by providing levels of
structure in the beginning, protect group members, set clear norms.
● Always help members to express emotions. Help with language and the
expression of emotion. Listen for things such as "I can totally relate," "I
understand how you feel." Listen for words such as "should" and "why."

9. Establishing Goals
● Main task is helping members formulate clear and
specific goals that are measurable (SMART)
● Absence of goals might lead to aimless group sessions
● Identifying goals is a collaborative process
● Leaders can assist in goal setting with contracts and
homework

10. Group Norms
● Norms enable a group to attain its goals and can be explicit
or implicit
● Examples-
○ expectations of promptness and regular attendance
○ norm of sharing oneself in personal ways
○ give meaningful feedback
○ members encouraged to offer both support and challenge others
○ members functioning within the here-and-now context of the group

12. Discussion
Some group leaders expect the members to come
up with contracts as a way to implement their
personal goals. How likely are you to suggest that
members develop their own contracts? What are the
advantages and disadvantages of using contracts?
How could you use the contract method in a group
you might design?

13. Leader Functions: Initial Stage
● Must think about the following issues:
○ division of responsibility
○ degree of structuring
○ opening group sessions
○ closing group sessions

14. ◤

15. Member Functions: Initial Stage
● Members:
○ actively create a trusting climate and express fears, hopes, concerns,
reservations, and expectations regarding the group
○ Make themselves known to others in the group and are involved in the
creation of group norms
○ establish personal and specific goals that will govern the group
participation
○ learn the basics of group process, especially how to be involved in
group interaction

16. Discussion
You are interested in helping members formulate personal goals early in the course of the group.
As you listen to several members say what they want from the group, you are struck with how
vague and global most of their goals are. Some of the statements you hear are:
● “I’d like to get out of my head and more in touch with my feelings.”
● “What I need to learn is how to communicate better.”
● “I’d like to understand myself better.”
● “People tell me that I’m too nice. I suppose I should work on assertiveness.”
● “I’m in the group because I want feedback.”
● “I’m confused and I need answers. I hope I’ll find them in here.”
Take each of the above statements and show how you might respond to each person.
What are some ways you could help the members become more specific? What are some
questions you might ask them?

17. Assignment:
For next class...
Study for mid-term which is next
class!