The stages of group therapy

Group therapy can be understood in terms of five distinct phases: form, storm, norm, performance, and adjournment. The first meeting (form) of a therapy group is seen by its participants as the beginning of the process. While members learn to work together and establish the “rules” of the group, early meetings are often accompanied by some level of conflict (storm).

Members’ performance in working together to achieve a common goal improves as they become accustomed to the process. The therapy group accomplishes most of its work during this time. When everyone is satisfied that the goals have been met, the meeting ends. These phases often have more technical names and may even be subdivided into smaller phases, but the basic ideas of development and evolution through time remain the same. The stages of group therapy

Effective therapy group leaders should be aware of what clients may be feeling during particular stages of group therapy and know techniques to help the group members move throughout the various stages. In addition, therapy group leaders need to be aware of group dynamics, including recognizing how therapy groups get stuck, as well as why and how to help groups move through barriers. At times a group leader might let the group work through its own problems, but, at other times, the leader needs to be proactive and take control of the therapy group.

For this Discussion, select one of the stages of group therapy. Consider the key characteristics of the stage you selected and how you might identify that stage during the therapy process. Also, think about the steps you might take to smoothly transition therapy group members to the next stage. The stages of group therapy

With these thoughts in mind:

WRITE a brief description of the stage you selected. Then, explain how you might recognize this stage in the therapy process (e.g., what you would do or say during this stage, what therapy group members would do and say during this stage). As the group therapy leader, explain what you might do in order to transition the group to the next stage. Provide examples to support your response.

Instructions The stages of group therapy

Group Counseling: Strategies and Skills Corey et al.: ch. 6
Group in Action DVD

Reflection Paper Instructions

Watch all the segments in the First and Second Program on the Groups in Action DVD while following along in the workbook, reading the commentaries by Corey et al. (2014), and reflecting on the questions. You will then write a short Reflection Paper which must be submitted as a Word document on Blackboard. The paper must be engaging, substantive, and interesting. It must include self-reflection and personal application, not merely a summary and critique of what you viewed and read. Examine new insights about yourself as an emerging group leader from the perspective of a biblical worldview.

The paper must be 3–4 pages (1,000–1,300 words), not counting the title or reference pages (no abstract is necessary). Although you may use first person in this paper, remember it must be in current APA format. The paper must be well written, well organized, and free of grammar, spelling, or other writing errors. Address the following 2 topics by integrating relevant ideas from Corey et al. (2014) and Jacobs et al. (2016). Subheadings are unnecessary. The stages of group therapy

Identify, by name, the group member in the first or second program with whom you identify with the most. Explain why you identify with this person, i.e. what experience or issue were you able to relate to? Briefly describe 1–2 situations in which this member was working. What thoughts, feelings, fears, etc. did the member articulate? What skills and techniques did the group leaders (Jerry and Marianne Corey) use to guide the working member and to deepen the focus? How were other group members involved in this process?
The Coreys established specific group norms in the beginning stage by encouraging group members to speak up, articulate their feelings, talk out loud, address one another, look at each other, and actively participate. These norms laid the foundation for interpersonal learning involving direct talk and role play in the present. The stages of group therapy
Note how the leaders asked questions such as “Is there someone here you can relate to?” and “Who in here are you aware of right now?” to deepen the focus. Discuss your observations and reflections on how these and other leadership techniques used by the Coreys promoted therapeutic benefits for the group members.

A simple way to remember the stages of group therapy is as follows: form, storm, norm, perform, and adjourn. For its members, a therapy group begins with the group’s first gathering (form). Early meetings are frequently accompanied by some level of conflict (storm) as members learn to work together and establish the “rules” of the group. As members become more comfortable with the process (norm), their ability to work toward a common goal improves (perform).

This is when the bulk of the therapy group’s productivity occurs. Finally, when the desired results have been achieved, the group terminates (adjourn). There are more scientific names associated with these stages, and there can be sub-stages, as well, but the underlying concepts of progression and change over time remain the same. The stages of group therapy

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 4 a brief description of the stage you selected. Then, explain how you might recognize this stage in the therapy process (e.g., what you would do or say during this stage, what therapy group members would do and say during this stage). As the group therapy leader, explain what you might do in order to transition the group to the next stage. Provide examples to support your response. Be specific and use the Learning Resources and current literature to support your response. The stages of group therapy

References:

Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books.
- Chapter 11: “In The Beginning” (pp. 309–343)
- Chapter 12: “The Advanced Group” (pp. 345–390) The stages of group therapy
Psychotherapy.net. (Publisher). (2006). Understanding group psychotherapy: Outpatients, part 1. [Online video].Psychotherapy.net. (Publisher). (2006). Understanding group psychotherapy: Outpatients, part 2. [Online video].