Group a counseling specialty 7e pearson by t gladding chapter 07

Chapter 7
Closing 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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How to prepare and close a group
The effects on individuals of ending a group
The Premature Closing of a Group
Specific ways of closing a group
Problems in the closing a group
Follow-up Sessions

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

7-2

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Preparing to Close a Group


Proper preparation for ending a group begins at
the planning stage.

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To ensure proper group procedures from start to
end, leaders must establish appropriate
boundaries.

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

7-3

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Preparing to Close a Group
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Closing occurs on two levels in a group:
 At the end of each session
 At the end of a certain number of group
sessions
At orientation, the subject of closing is raised
In closing a group session, a leader should inform
members that the group is ending about 5 to 30
minutes before its conclusion.
In ending a total group experience, the orientation
to closing involves a planned number of sessions
that are devoted to the topic of termination.

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

7-4

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Effects on Individuals of Ending a
Group
 Ending a group has an impact on individuals.
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“If handled appropriately, the process of
termination can be an important role in helping
individuals develop new behaviors” (Hansen et al.,
1980, p. 539).
The range of feelings among individual group
members can be very wide.
Some engage in farewell-party syndrome to
avoid the pain of closure (Shulman, 2012).

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

7-5

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.


Effects on Individuals of Ending a
Group
 Options for people who need more help after
termination:
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Individual counseling
Referral to another group or organization

Recycling through a similar group
experience

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

7-6

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.


Premature Closing of a Group


Premature termination can occur for the
following reasons:

Individuals quit the group abruptly.
 A group experience ends suddenly because
of actions by the group leader
ASGW (2007) has provided guidelines to follow
in premature ending situations.
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Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

7-7

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Premature Closing of the Group as a
Whole
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Leaders must do one of the following:
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Have at least one group session to say
good-bye to the group as a whole
Contact group members directly

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

7-8

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.


Premature Closing Initiated by Group
Members
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Some reasons for which group members
prematurely terminate group sessions:
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External factors
Group deviancy
Problems of intimacy
Fear of emotional contagion

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

7-9

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Reasons for Premature Ending
(Cont.)
 Inability to share the doctor (group leader)
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Complications of concurrent individual and
group therapy
Early provocateurs
Inadequate orientation to therapy
Complications arising from subgrouping

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

7-10

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Preventing Premature Closing


Steps to reduce the potential for premature
ending:
 Start and end groups on time.
 Help members make commitments to attend a
number of sessions.
 Treat members in a personal and professional way.
 Communicate clearly and concisely about
individual and group issues
 Send members reminders if there are long
intervals between group sessions (Young, 2013).

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

7-11

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Closing of Group Sessions
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Member Summarization
Leader Summarization
Rounds
Dyads
Scaling Activities
Written Reactions
Rating Sheets
Homework

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

7-12

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
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Capping Skills in Closings
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Reviewing and summarizing the group experience
Assessing members’ growth, change (or
achievement)
Finishing business
Applying change to everyday life (implementing
decisions)
Providing feedback
Handling good-byes
Planning for continued problem resolution
(Jacobs et al., 2012, p. 382)

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e

Samuel Gladding

7-13

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Problems in Closing of Groups
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Denial

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Transference

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Countertransference

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

7-14

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Follow-Up Sessions
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Procedure of reconnecting with group members
after they have had enough time to process
what they experienced in the group and work
on their goals or objectives
Beneficial to members and to leaders in
evaluating the experience they had in the
group and reflecting on what they learned.

Groups: A Counseling Specialty, 7e
Samuel Gladding

7-15

© 2016 Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.