Response To Classmate’s Discussion Post

I’m studying and need help with a Psychology question to help me learn.

250 words with 2 sources below each response for full credit.

1) Kathy Rivero

Re: Topic 4 DQ 1 (Obj. 4.2)

Good morning All,

Fixed groups generally stay together for a long time, while members in revolving groups remain only until they accomplish their goals. Each is used for different purposes, and each requires different leadership. As treatment and recovery have stages, group development also changes over time. The first phase pays attention to orientation and establishing safe, effective working relationships. In the middle (and longest) phase, the actual work of the group is done. The end phase is a deliberate, positive termination of group business. Each phase requires attention to specific tasks” (SAMSHA n.d.).

In order for a group to be successful a few things must happen. Members that are successful will learn to develop skills to cope with their issues, and can learn from other members. Members who have work in a successful group setting change their behaviors. Members change the way they think, act, and respond better now. Members who join the group have goals and must obtain and take responsibility for their behaviors.

A group may be unsuccessful when there is communication breakdown, no trust, unresolved conflict and members may start to withdrawal. The leader generally sets healthy habits, boundaries, and lead by example. Lack of clear purpose and goals without clear purpose and goals, the team will falter. Not knowing what to accomplish and why it is important is a major reason for lack of performance” (Parisi-Carew 2015).

Parisi-Carew, Eunie 2015 Retrieve from: https://leadchangegroup/8-reasons-why-teams-fail

Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy (SAMSHA), Retrieve from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64221/

2) Gaetano Buscemi

Re: Topic 4 DQ 1 (Obj. 4.2)

During group therapy, the lead counselor ought to be evaluating the outcome of the clients all through the entire process so that they can try different techniques, so the individual has a successful experience (Corey, 2016). The three symptoms that might be observed that indicate the group had been successful are 1) Behavioral Change: The members have worked within the group and outside of the group to make behavior changes. They have integrated thoughts, emotions and behaviors in their everyday situations that may have been harder for them before. Clients are also better at catching themselves when they are acting or thinking in a problematic way (Corey,2016). Clients are feeling better, resolving their own problems, are feeling more connected to themselves and others. 2) Skill development: The counselor will observe that the clients are taking responsibility for their problematic behavior and are willing to address them in the future. 3) Obtaining Goals: Clients have achieved their goals and have taken the responsibility to make sure that they were accomplished within the group as well as working outside of the group to make a change (Corey,2016).

Three unsuccessful group symptoms are 1) Goal Attainment: A counselor would be aware that the group experience was unsuccessful if the clients were unable to make improvements in their primary goal or take any responsibility for achieving their goals. The counselor would be responsible for evaluating the goals at the beginning of the group sessions and comparing the progress at the conclusion of group therapy. 2) Lack of Cohesion: This would mean that the group did not work together in unity to work through issues. This can be seen in clients that just want to work out their own problems rather than what would be best for the group. 3) No behavioral change or worsening behavior: Clients are not willing to work on their behavior within the group or in their individual lives. It is also noted that clients either have the same behavior as when they started group therapy or worse, or even additional behavioral issues have developed.

Reference

Corey, G. (2016). Theory & practice of group counseling (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. ISBN-13: 9781305088016

3) Phillip Swanson

Re: Topic 4 DQ 2 (Obj. 4.1 and 4.2)

Depending on the outcome of the group therapy, the counselor may wish to initiate exchanging contact information with the group members in order to follow up or schedule a time for the group to meet up again. Corey notes that if the counselor does have the group members meet for a follow up session or initiates being able to contact certain group members after the termination of the group, this gives the clients the chance to discuss the efforts made to implement learned behaviors from therapy sessions in the real world and share their difficulties and successes in doing so (2015, p. 169). Corey goes on further to show that follow up sessions offer an element of accountability to the clients in order to help foster long-term recovery and help them predict and plan for possible setbacks (p.169). The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment also shows that following up with client’s does not always come after the termination of group therapy; the counselor could also follow up with clients who have dropped out by calling them on the telephone or sending mail (2006). Doing so shows a continual effort to care about client’s wellbeing, even when they are not actively a part of the group. Follow up contacts give the counselor a chance to hold everyone accountable and, in turn, the group members a chance to hold themselves accountable and bring about a longer lasting change.

References

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2006). Chapter 7. Clinical Issues, Challenges, and Strategies in Intensive Outpatient Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64101/

Corey, G. (2015). Theory & practice of group counseling (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning. ISBN-13: 9781305088016