Group a counseling specialty 7e pearson by t gladding chapter 04

Chapter 4
Forming a Group
Prepared by: Nathaniel N. Ivers, Wake Forest
University
Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.


Roadmap
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Characteristics of the Forming Stage of a
Group
Steps in the Forming Stage of a Group
Tasks and Problems in the Forming Stage
of a Group
Useful Procedures for the Forming Stage of
a Group

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-2

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Forming Stage of a Group
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Orientation stage of a group
A time of initial caution associated with any
new experience
Personal relations are characterized by
dependence
Group members attempt to be accepted
and safe by trying to keep things simple
and free of controversy to avoid rejection
by others

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-3

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Steps in the Forming Stage
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Step 1:
Group
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 6:
Step 7:

Developing a Rationale for the
Deciding on a Theoretical Format
Weighing Practical Considerations
Publicizing the Group
Screening and Pretraining
Selecting Group Members
Selecting a Group Leader

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-4

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Step 1: Developing a Rationale for the
Group
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Every successful group has a clear
rationale
The rationale is the purpose of or reasons
for conducting a group.
Group leaders who are unclear about their
purpose will end up being nonproductive
at best and possibly harmful.

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-5

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Step 2: Deciding on a Theoretical Format
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Should function intrapersonal,
interpersonal, and extrapersonal matters,
but in varying degrees
Should match the needs of participants
and the group as a whole
The level of functioning in a group
(I/We/It; Waldo, 1985) that the group
leader emphasizes may influence his or
her theoretical format.

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-6

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Step 3: Weighing Practical Considerations
After a clear, convincing rationale and
theoretical format have been determined,

group proposals should stress specific,
concrete, and practical objectives and
procedures, such as the following:
Meeting time
Setting
Frequency of meetings
(Jacobs et al., 2016)

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-7

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.


Step 4: Publicizing the Group
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How a group is announced influences the
way the group will be received by potential
members and the kind of people who will
join (Corey et al., 2014)
Some effective ways of publicizing a group:
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Word of mouth with professional colleagues
Personal contact with potential members
Written announcements to a targeted
audience

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-8

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.


Step 5: Screening and Pretraining
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Potential group members should be
screened
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Interviewed before the group to determine
suitability for the group

Individually conducted pregroup screening
procedure
Group-conducted pregroup screening process

Potential group members should be carefully
chosen whenever possible (Riva & Lange, 2014)

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-9

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Pregroup Screening Interview
Steps
1.

Identify needs, expectations, and
commitment

2.

Challenge myths and misconceptions

3.

Convey Information

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-10

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.


Pretraining
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Orienting group members on what to
expect of the group before it ever meets
“Such investment should enhance the
functioning of the group, speed its work,
reduce dropouts, and increase positive
outcomes” (Zimpfer, 1991, p. 264)
Can occur on a group or individual basis

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-11

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Step 6: Selecting Group Members
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A two-way process in that potential group members
and leaders are mutually involved in the selection
process
People invited to join the group should be individuals
who are likely to benefit from the experience
Individual characteristics that are contraindicated
for group work: extreme hostile, self-centered,
unmotivated, crisis oriented, mentally unbalanced,
unable or unwilling to self-disclose or tolerate
anxiety
(Corey, 2012; Riva et al., 2000)

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-12

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.

Step 7: Selecting a Group Leader
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The following are important factors that
potential group members should consider
regarding the leader of the group:
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Group leader’s qualifications
Group leader’s style and personality

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-13

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Tasks of Beginning the Group
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Dealing with apprehension
Reviewing Goals and Contracts
Specifying Group Rules
Setting Limits
Promoting a Positive Interchange Among
Members

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-14

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Resolving Potential Group Problems in
Forming
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People Problems

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Group Procedural Problems

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-15

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People Problems
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Manipulators
Resisters
Monopolizers
Silent members
Users of sarcasm
Diagnostic analyzers
Focusers on others
Subgroups

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-16

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.

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Group Procedural Problems
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Opening the Group
Structure
Involvement
Group Cohesion
Hope and Risk Taking
Closing (Terminating) of the Session

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-17

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Useful Procedures for the Forming Stage
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Joining
Linking
Cutting Off
Drawing Out
Clarifying the Purpose

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

4-18

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.