Discussion 03: Group Development & Therapeutic Factors
Please note: In order to successfully complete the program, you must respond to this post. Your comment/response should answer the questions/show that you completed the given activity (if any). Read the post carefully and implement the learning in the chat rooms. If you didn't participate in Discussion 02: Building a Group, then check here!
Welcome back, crew!! It is good to see you again to take another step to learn and progress! Keep going!!
We’ve been talking about group building in the last discussion. But, in order to stay on track is to develop the group you built and ensure the therapeutic factors are utilized effectively to maintain group support success.
There are two parts to this discussion:
- Group Development
- Therapeutic Factors
Group Development: It is identified that there are 4 stages of a group once built.
Each stage has its own needs and goals that must be addressed as the group progresses through each stage. The role of the group facilitator and group members also changes as the group progresses.
All groups are progressive and unique. You cannot compare the development of the Relationship Support Room with Depression Support or any other chat room. Some groups would experience and gain a lot and some may not. That’s why the success of a group depends on how the leader leads & supports the group and how the group members participate.
Second, therapeutic factors.
To develop the group, therapeutic factors play a significant role. Dr. Irvin D. Yalom conducted research and outlined the key therapeutic principles derived from it.
- Instills hope: The group contains members at different stages of their struggle or challenges. And, seeing people who are coping or recovering gives hope to those at the beginning of the process. It is a reminder to them that they are not alone and they can also progress by taking the required steps.
- Universality: Being part of a group of people who have the same experiences helps people see that what they are going through is universal and that they are not alone. They develop a sense of belonging and feeling of part of the community.
- Imparting information: They can help each other by sharing information, stories to develop a connection, and a healthy discussion.
- Altruism: They can share their strengths and help others in the group, which can boost self-esteem and confidence. It allows them to have the courage to take steps to progress.
- The corrective recapitulation of the primary family group: The group is a sort of family. Within the group, each member can explore how different experiences contributed to personality and behavioral changes. They can also learn to avoid behaviors that are destructive or unhelpful for them.
- Development of socialization techniques: The group setting is a great place to practice new behaviors. The setting is safe and supportive, allowing group members to experiment without the fear of failure. Develop a sense of accountability and celebrate small and big wins to boost confidence.
- Imitative behavior: Each individual can model the behavior of other members of the group or observe and imitate the behavior of the leader to develop the same qualities or skills in order to develop and grow.
- Interpersonal learning: By interacting regularly with other individuals of the group and receiving feedback from the group or the facilitator, members can become more self-aware and develop self-love and esteem as well.
- Group cohesiveness: As there is a common goal, members gain a sense of belonging and community feeling.
- Existential factors: While interacting with the group and gaining support and feedback. They also learn they are responsible for their own lives, actions, and choices. They could progress by taking charge of it and making better decisions.
A therapeutic factor is an element of a group that potentially benefits one or more individuals in the group. A reminder that all therapeutic factors mentioned in this discussion shouldn’t be assumed to have the same impact on all but it should investigate their impact on different members of the group. Overall, it is helpful and keys for effective group development.
Discussion: Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
Activity: Respond to at least two of your fellow trainees' comments with thoughts on their share.
After fulfilling the requirements of this post, please check out the next discussion here! Ensure to implement the learning from these discussions in the chat rooms to build and support the group. You must take part in the brainstorming/activities given in all of these discussions to successfully complete the program.
@ASilentObserver
One of the most important room I am striving to support is an Anxiety room. One of the most useful techniques is Universality as it is very important for everyone who goes through anxiety to hear success stories, experiences of others, techniques, so they can relate and feel not alone in their journey. This feeling gives hope, support and also teaches a lot, opened new possible coping mechanism and what is most important provide an understanding the Anxiety is manageable.
@AriadneLove
I agree with you. Knowing you're not alone really helps you feel a little more relaxed and like you "belong" which is so important to receive the support you need.
@ASilentObserver Discussion: Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
altruism <3
this is a big factor that is present especially in the sharing circles. people gain enough confidence to talk about the steps they take to healthy habits and what they have been doing to boost the self-esteem of themselves and others <3 people are so supportive with this as well, and it can happen in any of the support rooms. as time goes on, i feel more and more people are comfortable with it as they gain confidence when others instill it on them.
@rrretsuko
I've noticed that too. It's one of the things I like most about the Sharing Circle. I'm glad you brought it up.
One of Yalom therapeutic factor that I have applied is 'Imitatative behavior". In addition to hosting sharing circles, I also attend circles and support check-in discussion to see how other hosts/mod handle the a group . I learnt a great deal from them and took after them.
Hello @ASilentObserver , thankyou for the great discussion topic, it is amazing to learn about different stages in the group development and the therapeutic factors involved . 😊
I feel I've used almost all of these factors in different rooms in varying capacities and even a mix of some of these factors, depending on the room type / structure , member participation and topics !
However one that really stands out for me is the Interpersonal Learning , I truly feel each one here has something unique to themselves , and we can all learn so much from each other , I've found myself feeling inspired by some members too -- how they support each other in a group setting , how they drive the conversation , how courageous of them to take a step towards a healthier living , commendable enough!
As with the listheir chatrooms, it's an honor to be in presence of some great Listeners, everyone has their own niche -- have developed their own listening style and also the way some answer questions in LSR is lovely to witness , so much information to grasp and so many things to learn from each other .
I certainly feel there's a scope of alot of interpersonal learning in chatrooms , diverse people from different walks in life , having diffenrent perspectives and experiences , and so much wisdom and knowledge to impart ! Always a pleasure to engage with different people , and learn more about them and ourselves too , in the process !!
Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
One of the therapeutic factors I have experienced much in Group Support Rooms is Imparting Knowledge. Sharing facts and stories with one another aids in the development of sufficient warmth and mutual understanding. This is something I've seen while hosting discussions.
For experience: I have hosted many discussions out of which some were on Anxiety, Depression, etc. In those discussions, we all shared our knowledge with each other in discussion, told others about our information, and listened to what others have to say, all of which contributed to the development of a strong bond and connection.
Be the change that you wish to see in the world.
@SuryanshSingh That's so true! Sharing your personal stories are often the most effective ways to help someone - I know my stories and the experiences I shared helped quite a bit of people on here and I'm glad they did!
@ASilentObserver
Altruism is a factor I lean on providing to the group, not only by example but by enabling altruistic behavior.
In groups and sharing circles, I take a step back when members are sharing, as I noticed other members are more likely to support and extend understanding when a listener or mod is not actively engaged in giving support. Hence giving support to any member becomes a group responsibility.
It's very important to hold a safe space for altruism to occur, which comes with the comfort of knowing that the member needs it, the member has consented to the support and that the leaders/hosts/mods are not objecting/are encouraging of their thoughts.
Next is ensuring that the members feel that their support has been valuable, this can be done by merely liking their positive messages or agreeing with what they said, labeling their emotions at the time, as understanding, supportive and insightful, caring, further instills the expectation of such behavior to keep occurring.
So members who attend my sharing circles regularly always know it's their time to support a fellow member. Furthermore, one supported share which a member was able to relate and help with, often encourages other members to share their own similar struggles, so people definitely feel more secure and confident to deal with their issues once they support someone else through similar ones.
No matter what people throw at us, we can be the better people! I see how altruistic you are in your DID related initiatives for example! Keep Shining!
Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
Imitative Behavior has been my help. Whenever I see some leader handling a situation well, I look to observe how they are doing, even copy and save some of their words, as a guidance for how to handle such situations. It helps to observe the qualities and strengths the leader demonstrates.
Here is a growth path to help you smile https://www.7cups.com/path/playlist/smile/
@Fristo
Imitative behaviours, definitely a good way to learn so much about group support dynamics and how to provide better support.
And I see how you imitate words. 👀
@Fristo
That's a wonderful way of applying Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room, reminds me of the quote 'fake it till you make it'.
@ASilentObserver
Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
I have noticed ive often used this factor;
Imparting information: They can help each other by sharing information, stories to develop a connection, and a healthy discussion. Very often, when someone is sharing their story, i also share mine and it helps them relate to me more and keeps the discussion going, too!
I have taken initiative in learning from other leaders and moderators and using them as a guide to help me also navigate the group chats. From doing this, I learned many things and became a better listener and leader by implementing what I observed.
@hopefulSnow8833 Taking initiative is a great thing to do! Most of us tend to stay in our comfort zones and let others do the hard stuff but I find that it's more rewarding and gratifying to just be proactive and contribute without being told to do so
@ASilentObserver
I have usually applied most of them, but the one i love the most is "instilling Hope"
This can be very powerful, Showing someone there is still light at the end of darkness can make them do wonders, Take for e.g, A traveller in a desolate desert will wear down and lose the will to go on after some time, but a faint and vague sight of an oasis at the far end can give them power to go on despite everything. A few words of kindness and empathy can go a long way, let the members know they matter and there is still Hope!
@DigitalKnight
Thatis true, even a few words of kindness can make a difference to someone who is struggling.
