This paper is going to examine the group work practice of the pilot group work program started by Youth centre (Jurong) — “Girls United” from four perspective: (a) Model of Group Work Practice, (b) Leadership Style and Co-leadership, (c) Planning of Activities, and (d) Group Work Approach. This paper will conclude by my “Personal Reflection on Group Dynamics”. Model of Group Work Practice As mentioned in our group report, Girls United is a group work practice that combines both the remedial model and reciprocal model. However, in my opinion, remedial model may not be suitable for the program, as it place emphasis on its utility in removing the adverse conditions of individuals and changing their behavior, but this is rather unrealistic to achieve within 8 weekly sessions, and the fact that the members may have very different issues and severity, adds to the difficulty of implementation. (Konopka, 1963) As the sessions are bounded in time, it is more appropriate for the social worker to place his emphasis on strengthening the members by supplying information and skills, so that they are left with stronger coping skill even when the group terminates. (Robert Glass, 1968) However, I acknowledge the drawbacks of this model that it rejects the diagnosis and treatment of individual problems, hence making it hard to evaluate if the sessions are successful in helping those girls with psychological issues. (Whittaker, 1970) Hence, I suggest that on top of formulating the group based on reciprocal model, the social worker could identify individuals who need further attention during the activities and subsequently deliver help through therapeutic interventions after the program terminates. (Friedlander, 1958) Hence, during the conduc... ... middle of paper ... ...e made, we will democratically decide on which direction we should go. Though there were no overt rules being set, we implicitly agreed on taking a democratic approach on decision-making, as we trusted each other that we all desire to achieve the same goal, and all of us have a high level of dedication. Because of this tacit agreement, none of us are afraid of giving suggestions and feedbacks. I think majoring in social work really helped us a lot in understanding where each other are coming from. Though we have very different personality traits, our values and beliefs are very similar, and all of us have the basic understanding of how to work in a team. To sum it up, friendship drove our team dynamic, and it is not only functional but also socially beneficial for us. “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is a progress. Working together is a success. ”
Group counseling is a viable new option emerging in the school setting. It can be effective and cost-effective for the schooling system by addressing a larger number of students and can be used to address a multitude of topics that children often face. One benefit of group counseling in the school setting is that it teaches children important socializing skills with their peers, as students often learn best from each other (Pérusse, 2009). It provides support, assists with emotional and problem-solving skills, and empowers children to be help each other as well as receive help from their peers (Thompson, 2012). The group setting may be perceived as less threatening, it helps bridge the gap in trust for children by providing a safe environment in which children can connect with others, and it allows for interactions that builds on social skills and the development of empathy for others (Thompson, 2012).
Looking for new and more effective ways to treat the issues of their clients, counselors and therapists may often begin to consider leading a group therapy session. Group therapy is a form of therapy in which a therapist either treats or provides psychoeducational skills to a small, carefully planned target group of individuals in an effort to ameliorate the issues and dysfunctions of each individual in that particular group of patients together (Scheidlinger, 2004). In this group, therapists often utilize some of the psychotherapy theories such as Gestalt, transactional analysis, psychotherapy or psychodrama which they often use to treat clients individually.
Then start to develop goals by finding out what they think is helping and what is not and are they willing to invest the time and effort by using the scaling exercise. The social worker with asks strengths-reinforcing coping questions how, what, and has. The Client is encouraged to define their goals from the start where the social worker may present and alternate perspective are to ask the miracle question. Answers to this question can provide indicators of change to be used. “All task are interventions are intended to encourage the client to think and behave differently with regard to the presenting problem than has been typical in the past (Walsh, 2013).” The formal first-session is the assignment of observing the good the client would like to continue in their life and maybe get the client thinking about exceptions. Second the surprise task surprising another person connected with the problem in a good way “shake up” in the clients’ routine and influence positive behavior. The ending is worked on from the start of intervention, where progress is monitored at each session that might be the last. Where the focus is on helping clients identify strategies to maintain and continue the momentum of enacting solutions.
One objective is to utilize the most powerful tool at psychotherapy’s disposal; the group experience. By one individual sharing their experience within the group, the other members are able to identify their similar experiences and work toward their own growth. Group therapy also increases self-awareness of clients in order for them to think introspectively in order to make a change in behaviors, increases social comfort, allowing exploration of new behaviors, provide and obtain support, develop communication skills, and promote interactions with others using truth and
Lindsay, T., & Orton, S. (2008). Groupwork practice in social work (2nd ed.). Exeter: Learning Matters.
Social Workers must be knowledgeable on how to facilitate and lead group sessions with clients. They must be cognizant on their responsibilities as a facilitator, and diligently work to meet the needs of all group members collectively and individually. According to Toseland, Ronald, & Rivas, Robert (2009) group work practice focuses on Social Work practice with a broad range of treatment and task groups and the group’s environment (pg. 2.). It is significant for Social Workers to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to be able to properly assess and assist in group atmospheres. At my field placement which is at the Covenant House, a homeless shelter in Detroit that services youth from ages 18-24. I am responsible for co-facilitating along with the agency’s Social Worker, a
Sheafor, B. W., & Horejsi, C. R. (2012). Techniques and guidelines for social work practice (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Allyn & Bacon. (Sheafor & Horejsi, 2011)
Group therapy is considered one of the most resourceful forms of therapy. The benefits to group therapy can be both cost-effective and a great means of support (Corey, Corey & Corey, 2014). The process of experiencing ideas and viewpoints expressed by your peers allows group members to become more susceptible to the counseling procedure. Group counseling also helps individuals to feel a sense of belonging due to similar situations and experiences shared by the group. The sense of support from group members can be an excellent means towards developing long-lasting relationships and developing communication skills needed to move forward during the counseling phase. In this paper, I will discuss my experiences throughout the group-counseling phase.
Student outlines two social work interventions, including descriptions of the specific roles and tasks that a social worker would undertake to help to solve the problem.
The first chapter of “Working in Groups” focuses on group communication, the first aspect being the key elements of group communication (Engleberg and
After completing the group task of preparing a presentation on, transferring individual facilitation skills into a group work setting I will critically reflect upon my own participation. I will evaluate my self-awareness while working in the group, as well as those around me. The way that I personally dealt with any issues that arose within the group and how that affected the group dynamics. I will also briefly discuss the roles in which each member of the group took and how role allocation affected, the group dynamics and the working relationships. Finally I will evaluate my work having discussed it with my fellow group members.
A group can be define as ‘any number of people who (1) interact with one another; (2) are psychologically aware of one another and (3) perceive themselves to be a group’ (Mullins, L, 2007, p.299). Certain task can only be performed by combined effort of a group. Organisation can use groups to carry out projects, which will help to achieve its overall aim. However, for the group to be successful they must understand what is expected of them and have the right skill to complete the task. . (Mullins, L, 2006)
Engleberg, Isa N. and Dianna R. Wynn. Working in Groups. 6th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2012. Print.
In conclusion, we feel as if we built trust in our team. Seeing as how we’re leaders in our own way, we each created a culture of trust among ourselves. Once we got to know each other personally and shared some personal information about ourselves, our families, hobbies, and other interests, that’s when we started to develop a bond and all the trust built up between us. And this paper assessed our group’s 3-5 major strengths and weaknesses and what successful strategies we hope to add to our team to build a more effective team in the future. Thank you for reading.
For this to occur however, requires an understanding of culture and society, as well as governance and process. In addition, I have also understood the power of strength based approach, how strength based therapy used in relationships an essential factor among group members. I view this class as the opportunity to practice how effectively work with groups and individuals to understand their own inherent power. Therefore, I learned the way of using a strengths-based approach; I can highlight the assets of group members, offering building blocks which can then lay the foundation of their social change. Furthermore, I understand change could be a mutual process, so in group therapy until group members became comfortable with each other to share their experiences giving them space and later help them to engage in along with group process. I also learn how to help in the facilitation of change, by asking open questions, validating, empathic and allowing them to feel what they are feeling, and empower them what they wants to do with their current