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After reading Jacobs et al., what type of group do you think would be the most challenging to lead and why? Be specific in your discussion of the group and discuss the type of leadership style that would be needed. Make sure to properly cite your sources and reference your citations at the end.

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Elaine Graham

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              Counseling and therapy groups are the most challenging to lead. Members of these groups have an assortment of mental issues, and the problems of therapy group members are usually more severe.  Also, no universal agreement exists regarding the role of the leader or the members, the tone or therapy strategy (Jacobs, Masson, Harvill, & Schimmel, 2012). However, the importance of utilizing a counseling theory cannot be understated. Emotional disorders, institutional living, addictions, and sexual abuse challenge the leader and require a systematic methodology for addressing them. One methodology promoted by Jacobs et al (2012) is impact therapy. It places primary responsibility on the leader to ensure that members are working through their issues. However, the leader has the latitude to decide what approach to take based on goals, objectives and the level of desired member interaction (Jacobs et al, 2012).

The varying mental health levels within counseling and therapy groups contribute to an unsure group dynamic (Jacobs et al, 2012). The leader may have to neutralize the impact of individual members to achieve a working dynamic. This can affect both the length of the beginning stage of therapy and the productivity of the working stage (Jacobs et al, 2012).

            Leading counseling and therapy groups requires skill and knowledge. These qualifications must also include courage. Leaders are often attacked because of the mental health of the group members. The leader needs to be well experienced in individual counseling enabling her to flow seamlessly between ndividual and group counseling. The nature of these groups requires the leader to be knowledgeable about emotional, relationship and parental issues that may surface during a meeting. Bringing group members successfully to the closing stage requires counseling therapies, education, and proper application.

            Schwartz (2007) agrees with the difficulties that arise in leading this kind of group. His article refers to challenging difficulties that arise through countertransference, hostile responses from staff and even institutional obstacles (Schwartz, 2007). The varying mental levels of group members, the internal and external forces affecting the group, and the unstable dynamic make this a difficult but not impossible group to lead. Let the group leader follow the example of Jesus, Who ministered to a demon possessed man living among the tombs (Luke 8:26-39). The Lord healed him, and he shared his testimony throughout the region.   

References

Jacobs, E. E., Masson, R. L., Harvill, R. L., & Schimmel, C. J. (2012). Group counseling:

            Strategies and skills. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Schwartz, K. (2007). Remembering the forgotten: Psychotherapy groups for the nursing home

            resident. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 57(4), 497-514.

2nd reply 200 words or more

Patrick Keitz

Difficult Groups

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                The group that I think would be the most challenging to lead would be the discussion group. The text mentions that Discussion Group Leaders need to be aware and be ready for people who try and either disrupt or dominate the session and must also be cognizant of how much each person shares (Jacobs et al, 2012, p. 42).  The leader has to ensure that each member contributes and is drawn into the conversation to make sure that they are sharing or that they feel comfortable sharing (Jacobs et al, 2012, p. 42).  The reason that I find this to be one of the more difficult groups to lead is that I know if I were faced with someone who is trying to dominate or disrupt the group my first inclination would be to attack the person, not physically but verbally.  I know that would be the wrong course of action as it would likely cause the rest of the group to no longer want to participate.  I also know that my first inclination would be to ignore the person who is not contributing, again I know that this would also be the incorrect course of action to follow as this would encourage others to not contribute.

                This reminded me of back when I was on active duty and the ship I was on was returning home and there would be classes on learning to re-integrate with your family and your spouse.  I was forced to attend one of these classes, which was funny since at the time I was not married.  When I first walked into the class I was very defensive and did not want to participate since I felt that the information would not be useful to me.  I disrupted the class and was eventually kicked out, in the end getting what I wanted.  Looking back on it, I know that what I did was probably a bad decision since it caused delays in the class and probably took away from those that were attending the class because they wanted to.  I think in many ways I live in fear of facing some young person very much like myself at that point in time.   Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (NIV).

Pat

Reference:

Jacobs, E. E., Masson, R. L., Harvill, R. L., & Schimmel, C. J. (2012). Group counseling: Strategies and skills (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

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