Support Group Observation

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This manuscript will cover the support group experience. This paper will provide insight from the observations of all four groups. This manuscript will discuss the stages each group were currently in. Leadership in the group was observed and this article will illustrate the dynamics of the style observed in the group and how productive the leadership was. Lastly, this report will mention some of the challenges observed and discussed at length during the sessions.

Introduction
My experience was unique in that I observed 4 sessions with two different facilitators. Both facilitators covered substance abuse as a support group session. One session covered anger management as the topic for support. For the purposes of consistency, this …show more content…

There were individuals in the group who were there by orders but there were some there because they were eager to grow and learn. As the sessions went on those who were eager showed the enthusiasm in their participation and the leader fed off of their energy. Both facilitators were seasoned leaders but their approach to the session drastically different. Although drastically different styles were on display, both facilitators seem to have received positive feedback. Another natural consequence of group work in contrast from individual counseling is that feedback is very powerful informational tool when several of the group members are saying the same things with accuracy. (Jacobs, 2012) In all four sessions members provided feedback that encouraged the leader of the group. Session three was particularly interesting in that the entire group were all Caucasian adolescents between the ages of 15 to 17. They were nice respectful young men who did not fit the stereotypical teenager who had no respect for adults or authority. This group were court ordered due to being caught using marijuana. This particular group of males really provided feedback in the group so much so that the facilitator praised the members for responding positively in the group. Group one had the dominant female who was always had an opinion about the material and had a story for every point the facilitator …show more content…

The challenges was getting the group to really understand the ramifications of the issue which led to them having court ordered treatment. All four groups were non-volunteering which means they were court ordered or mandated to be present or risk losing privileges. Most of the group were repeat offenders including one adult having a total of four convictions of driving under the influence (DUI). The group leader remark that he does not classify an individual as alcoholic, or social drinker but he classify them as responsible or non-responsible. He went further and said he has seen the social drinker who had a drink, not drunk still was given a change of driving under the influence. The ramifications include: loss of driving privileges, loss of employment, relationship stress, cost of treatment and public embarrassment. Group one/two leader was challenged by the “distractor member” but quickly corrected the individual by reminding him of what is expected. (Jacobs,

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