Role of a Group Counselor: Group Psychology

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mental health clinic is understaffed and counselors decide to use group work to deal with more clients during a particular period of time. The counselor organizes a group and asks for candidates from colleagues and places a message on the clinic's bulletin board. However, the incoming members are not prepared, and the announcements fail to inform them about the purposes and goals of the group, the background and qualification of the leader, the expectations of the group and the techniques that will be used. Consequently, the receptionist admits the first 12 people who sign up or call regardless of the nature of their problems. During the first meeting, one depressed and suicidal member takes up the entire session and the important matters are not discussed. The intensity of the client's crisis also scared some of the members and they fail to return for the next session.

How to screen more effectively

In group sessions, planning beforehand is the first process, and a crucial element in starting (Weimels, 2014). More specifically, counselors need to design groups that will yield productive results for each member and, therefore, great emphasis should be placed on rules, membership, objectives, dynamics, place and time. According to Berg, Landreth, and Fall (2013), the counselors should select members whose goals and needs are compatible with the goals of the group, whose well being will not be compromised by the activities of the group, and who will not delay the group process.

In the scenario provided, the counselors are under pressure. Hence, it is not possible to interview each member who may be interested in joining the group individually. I would first hold a group interview of prospective members, where I would inform them about the goals, purposes and expectations of the group. All prospective members also have to fill a questionnaire and provide details about their backgrounds and the nature of the problem in order to determine whether the group will meet their goals and needs. Corey (2013) opines that the ideal group size is 8 to 12 members, to allow members to express themselves freely without forming smaller groups. Therefore, after the group interview session, 12 members from different cultural backgrounds whose goals are similar to those of the group will be selected. These members will then be provided with information about the leader's qualification and background, procedures and techniques, and the rules that should be followed.

Alternatives to individual screening sessions in a busy clinic

Berg, Landreth, and Fall (2013) explain some alternatives to individual screening sessions. Counselors can choose to screen prospective members as a group. Group interviews will save time and pass important information to the group members. They will also allow members from various cultural backgrounds to interact, and determine whether the group will meet their needs. Counselors can also use interviews as a part of admission and staffing. As staff and patients are being registered, they will be asked the relevant questions to determine the type of groups they can work with. This way, when the need for group sessions arises, and time is limited, group counselors will retrieve the information that was provided during the registration process, which will save time. The final option is the completion of questionnaires by prospective members. Questionnaires will involve questions that will provide insight about the members and the nature of their problems. Since they can be filled by many members during one session, they also save a lot of time, and hence can be efficient in busy clinics.

How to handle a suicidal member in a group

One member of the group is depressed and suicidal, and takes up the entire group time for the first meeting and scares some of the members away. Corey (2015) explains that a counselor first needs to establish the source of depression and suicidal thoughts, whether the member has a specific plan for committing suicide, and whether there have been previous attempts at self-destruction of violence. If there was a suicidal member at my initial group meeting, I would first establish the root cause of the problem as explained by the author. If I judge that the member is a threat to either themselves or to the group, I would cooperate with other professionals to get her medical help. To avoid the issue from taking up the entire meeting, I would arrange an individual session with the member to help reduce the severity of the situation. Meanwhile, the rest of the meeting will be devoted to orientation regarding group procedures and goals, getting the members acquainted to the process, and introduction of norms and policies.

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It is also important to explain what is happening to the rest of the group and to explain that the member will join the group once they are ready, and will expect their support to catch up.

What to say to the suicidal member

I would first congratulate the member for talking a bold step and seeking counseling, then ask what he or she intends to gain from counseling. I would then explain that the group is willing to support her and help her find solutions to her problem provided she is willing to make a no-suicide contract at the beginning. It is also important to explain to the member that they will be expected to put effort and hard work throughout the entire process.

How to address the group about the situation

I would first explain my findings to the rest of the group in a gentle manner so that they comprehend that the suicidal member is in an almost similar, albeit worse, situation as the rest of the group members, and therefore the may need more attention and support. I would then allow the group members to express their opinions and answer any questions they might have on the issue. Once they understand why a fellow member might become depressed and suicidal, they will be less frightened. Moreover, they will work together to come up with a solution that will prevent them from ever going to such extremes. Corey (2005) explains that a support group provides a safe place for all members to deal with their problems, and enables them to vent anger and other feelings in order to form a new perspective on their situation. Therefore, the group needs to learn that judging a fellow member by the severity of their problems, and leaving without providing solutions is counterproductive and unsupportive. I would also urge them to show more commitment and strive to become part of the solution in subsequent meetings.

The Role of a Group Counselor

Group counseling provides an important and unique way for clients to receive guidance and support, gain confidence, and resolve difficulties of a personal, educational, vocational or social nature. Corey (2013) explains that group member interactions involve complex social processes that have a profound influence on the group outcomes and processes. For instance, cultural references and misunderstandings may lead to intimidation, coercion, and peer pressure, which may lead to discrimination, alienation, and early exits. However, while some group leaders opine that it is their primary role to protect their members against coercion, intimidation and undue peer pressure, others assert that it is not their function and that members should learn to protect themselves in order to become independent. Corey, Corey and Corey (2008) argue that leaders who assume total responsibility for their groups burden themselves and undermine the independence of the group members. On the other hand, Berg Landreth and Fall (2013) state that the sole responsibility of group counselors is to protect their members. This text evaluates the assumption that leader protection and innovation adds no value to group members' independence, and that group sessions would be more effective if the members learnt to take care of themselves.

Berg, Landreth and Fall (2013, p.230), assert that "it is the duty of the group counselors to protect members rights against intimidation, coercion, physical threats and undue pressure, in so far as is reasonably possible." They further explain that group leaders first have to differentiate between therapeutic pressure, which may be beneficial to members if used reasonably within the group, and undue pressure, which leads to misunderstandings, alienation and conflicts. While it remains undisputed that leader intervention and protection may compromise members' independence to some extent, lack of it would have far worse consequences for the members and the group in general. Members join a group to find the stability and support they may not able to establish by themselves and, therefore, they cannot make independent decisions. Corey, Corey and Corey (2008) explain that in the group environment, supervision is primarily the responsibility of the group leader, and since they have the necessary skill and qualifications compared to the group members, they are bound to be more objective. Moreover coming from different backgrounds, the nature of members' problems is also different, and it may lead to disagreements when each member feels that their values and opinions are worth more than those of others.….....

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