In this paper, I discuss my experience with observing a group counseling session with the purpose of evaluating it in terms of how it is set up, how it is run, interventions used, culturally sensitivity, and the contribution toward my professional development as a social worker. The group setting plays a critical role in social work outside of the individual session and can be largely beneficial for clients in the forms of therapy, counseling, self-help, and support. By attempting to better understand group interventions, I will learn how to apply this strategy in aiding clients for whom this method is appropriate by increasing their social supports.
In selecting a community group to observe, of consideration were groups which serve the
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The group facilitator for this substance abuse group is a man named Chris who has been facilitating this group for around 6 months. He shared with me that he has been working at this agency for two years as a mental health case manager in this program. He completed his education in the field of substance abuse and currently holds his Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor license. In speaking with Chris and observing the group session, Chris held the leadership role as the individual leader. He shared that six months ago, this group held two leaders, one being the primary leader along with the co-leader. However, this previous leader left her position and he is now facilitating individually. Uniquely, he shared he often has other program staff attend the group to help with the leadership role by minimizing disruptions by the members and taking note of the process. In these instances, the group would be considered having co-leadership in the function the additional staff play (Hepworth et. al., 2013).
Upon observing this group, I noticed the group to be homogeneous, and in addition, there were also clients who attended who did not appear appropriate based on the functioning level of the group. According to Maguire (2002), “Group members must be at similar levels of ego strength or functionality.” The is based on the idea of group membership for a group for function properly. Maguire states, “A person who is literally too abnormal or who deviates
Adlerian group counseling can be considered a brief therapy with four phases: 1) Establishing and maintaining cohesive relationships with members: the therapy is based on relationship between equals based on cooperation and mutual respect. Both group leader and members work together toward mutually-agreed upon goals to facilitate change throughout the sessions (Corey, 2000). Through active participation in the group, members are provided with an opportunity to work on their issues and witness positive change within their peers which proves group works. 2) Analysis and Assessment - Exploring the Individual’s Dynamics: the aim is to understand an individual’s lifestyle and how it is affecting his/her current functioning in society. Group leaders can assess participants using different assessments such as: family constellation, birth
The researchers goal was to know if the effects of small-group reading interventions implemented positive behavior in support model, on elementary students that show any emotional and behavior disorders or that do not show any emotional and behavior disorders. The following are the research questions they addressed: (a) the differences in reading instruction in a general classroom for students at risk and to compare schools that combine behavior/reading risk. (b) differential effects with small-group instruction. (c) how do any of the observable differences translate to the outcome of students’ growth in reading.
In this paper I will identify the need for the group that was chosen. Part of the discussion will concentrate on the three key values used in the group approach with this population. The other will address models and theories of group practice, and the approach used by this group. The paper will also look at the key challenges or obstacles in group interventions with this population. Using the worksheet planning guide for social work group’s eight headings will be discussed. Briefly the readings from the course syllabus will be used in the development plan and incorporated in the paper will be the plans for an initial group session. Based on the skills inventory three critical skills will be addressed. Lastly a critique of a proposed group will be conducted.
in this picture i took a group selfie at work. my manager drew, the man in the orange, is looking at the camera. he is wearing an orange shirt, has his glasses on. has a look on his face as if to say “storm what are you doing?” one of my best friends jasmine is also in this picture. she goes to school with me. she has a smile on her face because i had just cracked a joke. i seem to always make the crew members laugh. she is weariing her mcdonald's visor / hat. has on the mcdonalds uniform and is looking at me all smiles. Erika, the woman in the picture with purple gauges is about 8 months pregnant. she is having a baby boy and she is rubbing her tummy, her son was kicking, her belly was moving in the way his foot was. she seemed to be in alot
In July, on two consecutive days, I attended two group sessions for two and three year-old children that took place at the libraries in various parts of San Antonio. The library setting of these groups additionally emphasized the importance of early literacy through a series of interactive and entertaining activities. The goal of these sessions was to offer a great variety of educational and entertaining activities to encourage development through play and learning through sensory stimulation, storytelling, and movement.
Selection and screening procedures rely largely on and are subjective to the group leader’s judgment and intuition (Corey and Corey, 1992). This is why it is important for counseling group leaders to limit their opinions and judgments whenever possible on specific information. Since group therapy is not for everyone, it is ethically important that the group leader screens each new member to assess the
You may ask yourself who is or what is an addict? Most of us do not have to think twice about this question. We know, our whole life and thinking was centered in drugs in one form or another. The getting and using and finding ways and means to get more. We lived to use and use to live. Very simply, an addict is a man or woman whose life is controlled by drugs (Narcotics Anonymous World Services Inc., 1986). This paper will discuss my experience from observing a Narcotic Anonymous (NA) meeting. I will outline the following: a) group description, b) facilitator, c) group observation, d) intervention, cultural sensitivity, and e) my professional development.
Zastrow, Charles H. (2015). Social work with groups: A comprehensive worktext (9th ed.). Stamford, CT: Delmar Cengage Learning.
As the instructor, I will be able to view personal contributions (e.g., content, frequency, duration) to group activities (i.e., discussions in the reading forum, planning in the working forum, and editing/finalizing group assignments on the Group Wiki). What will you do to increase your task visibility? If you haven�t already done so, you and your group members may want to assign/volunteer for specific KIN 247 group roles (e.g., group leader(s), homework editor(s), homework submitter(s), etc.). Consider what it is that your group needs to accomplish and how you might personally contribute to your group�s productivity.
Today was a very good day at New Foundations. After taking a tour of the facility I decided to stay with the older male group. The nurse told us that other nursing student groups mentioned that this group was boring because they did not talk with the students. She said that they were not use to having students visit, so she was unsure of how they would be. Prior to interacting with the group of boys we began reading through their charts. As we were reading their charts some of the boys came up to us to ask us questions. Afterwards we split up and played pool and cards with the boys. They were very open to talking with us. As Sydni and I were playing cards with two of the boys they began opening up to us. They shared their stories and what they
For my direct observation paper, I decided to write about the Social Learning Theory, proposed by Albert Bandura. This theory asserts that learning is a cognitive process that takes place in a social context and can occur purely through observation or direct instruction, even in the absence of motor reproduction or direct reinforcement. I observed two young, caucasian boys at a shopping mall. The purpose of this paper is to use the course material from my PSY 335 course and applicate it to the real world through this observation.
An event that I observed in during the co-op placement was a consultation meeting held between a client and my coworker. In this meeting, my coworker discussed information regarding the next quarter for the business that the client owned, which was to be held between August to October. From this meeting, I learned how an Accounting Firm receives all the information of a client, which is then transferred onto an Accounting Software to transmit and show a detailed and complex report.
The purpose of this letter is to inform you about my group performance throughout the project and problems we ran into. My group and I worked well together. I enjoy working with my group because they help me and give me ideas on the project. Overall, everyone did a good job and there wasn’t any issues in the group.
During this round I notice that my group and I were very confused at the pictures. The facilitators did not explain the activity very well and the pictures did not look like they were from the same story. I saw this response from the other groups when I was looking around the room. I heard a lot of justification going around the classroom when people were trying to explain why the order they thought was right or not.
I sit on the carpeted floor of the church Sanctuary, excitedly waiting for the day to begin. One by one the kids enter the room; some happily skip and run, while others bashfully cling to their mother or father. Their innocent, joy-filled faces immediately light up the previously dull and empty space. When the music begins to play, I gather the children in my group and introduce myself as Ms. Sarah. I can instantly tell which kids will be the troublemakers of the group, and which ones may need some extra help to break out of their shells. This year I have only six in my group, a refreshing change from the previous ten children from years before. A smaller group means more individual attention, which I strive to give to each child as much and as often as I can.