Group Issues and Conflict

Transcript

Group Counseling: Strategies and Skills Chapter 15

>> Closing a group session may serve one or more purposes including summarizing and highlighting the main points. Reinforcing commitments made by individual members. And checking for unfinished business from the session. In this first example, the leader demonstrates the use of rounds to close the session. Note leader ties things together for the members.

>> So I really think we covered a lot today. I mean I know this topic of test anxiety has really been a big deal for all of you and I think, you know, I hope you've learned a lot about your test anxiety. But I tell you what, since we're getting ready to sort of bring things to a close for today, I want to start with Eric and come around this way. Just briefly what is one thing that you learned today or that stood out to you about dealing with test anxiety?

>> I think one of the things that definitely stood out to me was I got to stop telling myself that my work is on the line with every test. I think that right there is going to help me a lot.

>> Okay great. Yeah that whole idea about how it's coming from what you tell yourself about the test. You know, I mentioned to you all earlier that I learned that idea when I was in my 20s. And it really helped me with a lot of different things. It can certainly help you with test anxiety. So good. Jen, how about you?

>> That's what I'm taking away.

>> Is that --

>> Is that ability to shut it down. To stop all of that that's going on in my head --

>> Okay.

>> -- before I go into the test.

>> Good. Good. Morgan, how about for you?

>> Mine is stay in the big girl seat and not being over there --

>> And out of that little chair. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That helps me a lot thinking especially when I'm getting ready to take a test. Get in the adult seat. Don't be in your child about it. You know that you're going to get the better result. The result that you want if you stay in that thinking seat.

>> Just what you were talking about and I agree with those guys about that negative self talk. And I think I'm going to try to start paying more attention to it. And even how you said like writing it down like I think I'm going to try that, you know, for the next test.

>> Yeah really giving thought to what you're telling yourself about that test or about that situation.

>> Yeah.

>> Good and Jane, how about for you?

>> I'm like Fran. I want to work on my negative self talk and get out of that chair too.

>> Okay. Good. Good. Okay. Well I appreciate you all sharing and I hope that's been helpful. You know everything, your self talk, standing out of the small chair, and hopefully the next test you take will go a lot more smoothly.

>> Thanks.

>> Thank you.

>> Next we see the closing of a third session of a divorce group. The leader uses appreciations and wishes since the session has been very productive and the members seem to be really care about each other.

>> Okay it's about time to start closing and to wrapping group up for the day. And you know we've had such a good group today. It just seems supportive and cohesive and connected. I just wondered if maybe we could close and add something to our close today. I'd like you to, of course, share what stood out to you but I'd like you to add an appreciation that you'd like to share to other group members or if there's a group or a wish for group members. Jen, you good with that? Okay.

>> That's perfect. That's perfect for me because I have so much appreciation today that I was able to share about dating a married man. First off, I thought that was going to be a huge issue for everyone and then he's so much older than I am. I thought you guys would really judge me about that. And you guys didn't and that just -- that made my day. I feel like I can be more open now in group and I really like that. And thank you Morgan especially. Yeah.

>> No problem.

>> And again, that's real important. Group is a safe, supportive environment. So that's a lot to be appreciative for. Anybody else have any wishes or appreciations they'd like to share?

>> I do want to wish Jen that you will stop beating up on yourself and the divorce was not your fault.

>> Thank you.

>> Okay. Yeah, someone else.

>> My wish for you is --

>> Mine's appreciation but I just really appreciate how supportive, you know, the [inaudible] everybody's been. I really look forward to coming to group because of that and just knowing that this is going to be such a safe, supportive environment.

>> I got a wish for J.P.

>> Go Fran, shoot.

>> My wish would just be that you'd be able to get out more and just you know, have fun and just kind of enjoy yourself.

>> Thanks and that just builds on that kindness and supportiveness. It's not that you -- maybe even if you can't get out today or tomorrow, you just have that support here, that's a wish for the group and other group members -- is that a wish you can have for J.P. as well?

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah that's great. Okay. Well I know my wish for you is that you just continue to grow and learn and heal and we all just participate and support each other through this process. And that's -- how about what stood out to you today? What stood out from group today that you're going to take out of here with you when you leave? What stood out to you today, J.P.?

>> Just being able to like share everything and especially basically the wish that you guys gave me. That's probably what's going to stand out the most.

>> Okay.

>> Sometimes members wait until the very end of the session to bring up their issue. Watch how the leader deals with this. The leader is clear that the group is entering the closing phase of the session.

>> I think we need to close. So what I want to do is get a round of sort of what stood out to you? What are you going to be thinking about between now and next week? Something like that. So --

>> I'll go. I really want to work on like reducing my worry. Talking about that was really helpful to me and --

>> Yeah, I thought we did a lot of good work on that. And you do not have to worry. You do not have to. So I want you all to hear me say that. I see you smiling, Jen.

>> I got a lot of being able to talk about mom and some of the issues that were going on there. So --

>> Yeah okay. That's good.

>> And can I bring up something? Well --

>> Is it a long something?

>> Kind of sitting here it's been in the back of my head and like now I think I want to talk about it.

>> Is it something pretty heavy? The reason why I say that is we only have about 2 or 3 more minutes.

>> It has to do with my past like --

>> Okay it's -- I'd say we can't do it now. I'll talk to you a little bit afterwards if you want to.

>> Yeah.

>> And will you -- I hope you'll bring it up. I know you got the courage but I know you all-- we got to stop.

>> Okay.

>> Okay. How about others of you real quick?

>> I think the one thing that stood out to me is the thing about self talk. Like what I tell myself.

>> Okay that's good.

>> That's my feeling.

>> What has stood out to you if you had to capture it?

>> I guess just like hearing everyone else share and so it kind of helped me want to share.

>> Let me get you, Jen, and then we'll be done.

>> It's that whole thought you don't have to worry. It's pretty big.

>> Okay. Okay. We'll see you all next week. Okay and let's you and I talk. Okay.

>> The closing phase is a very important part of any group session. Unfortunately many leaders don't watch the time well. And they let members bring up new material during the closing phase and then have to end the group abruptly or without a closing at all. It's very important that you make sure that you have adequate time to close your sessions.