Discussion 03: Group Development & Therapeutic Factors

@ASilentObserver

I would like to think I do use most of these principles when hosting a discussion. Of course it varies on the groul which ones are more dominant than others.

Group cohesiveness:

"As there is a common goal, members gain a sense of belonging and community feeling".

I believe this is very important whatever room we might be in here on 7 Cups. When hosting we set boundaries and present the topic and the goal for the discussion. To make the members and listeners open up an ice breaker often works. During discussion people come and people leave and it's very important to make people who enter feel welcome and included right away. I welcome people entering, tell them what os going on in the room and encourgage them to join if they want to and I also might post the current question. I often find many people imitate this behaviour and greet people who enter and thank people who leave. I believe this builds an inclusive environment where people feel they belong and get that community feeling.

@ASilentObserver

I really like Altruism and I think I use it the most. After a share in the sharing circle, I like to share their strengths to try to give them the opportunity to be proud. This then helps the moral of the room to improve and have a happier mood.

@ASilentObserver

The Yalom Therapeutic factor I use most is instilling hope. As a listener I took an oath to provide support for others and sometimes that means providing hope. Sometimes it is very helpful for someone to hear that they aren't alone and that others have gone through what they have. For example, there are times where someone will post something in the disability support community and I know exactly what they are goint through because I've gone through the same. If I am doing much better I will share that aspect of my life to show them that even though the moment may be dark, it isn't necessarily the end. There could be better days ahead. So, even though it may be simple sometimes hope is all the motivation someone needs.

@ASilentObserver

I love doing interpersonal learning! It is important to build relationships with others as it provides you a lot of valuable feedback. A) You get to learn and build a bond with members of the community; B) It provides positive and negative feedback. Feedback is so crucial to succeeding as a listener because it allows you to know what you do well in and what you may need to work on. I recently received feedback from a member stating that I did really well in one area of the topic but that they preferred I approached it in a slightly different way for them. This was very valuable advice because it showed that I was headed in the right direction on how to discuss the topic, but that I still had some work to do. I tweaked what the member suggested and it has allowed me to succeed so much more!

@ASilentObserver
Universality is huge for me as I have disabilities that sometimes make me feel lonely. When I hear from others it helps me see that I am not alone. I like to do the same in group chats or 1-on-1s. It is important that others see they aren't alone in their challenges. While I may not understand the exact situation someone is in I can empathize with them and let them know I will be there to support them. It also shows them that there is hope to be have because there are people who have gone what they are currently going through and are now doing ok.

Development of socialization techniques: I myself learned a lot in the room, such how starting a conversation with strangers (ice breakers), learn how express feelings and being respectful of those of others, show empathy. i learned to be more open, express myself, in a safe and structured environment. i learned to put words on feelings and experiences, and that people love talk about themselves. i have been able eventually to use it in real life. i know many people was very isolated and alone when they joined 7cups also, and learned to socialized and how make friends thanks to 7cups, a safe place where they were comfortable to get their journey started, without fear of being judged or saying something wrong.

@ASilentObserver

Discussion: Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.

Development of socialization technique is one of the Yalom Therapeutic factors that mostly applies to me. I use this in the chatrooms by encouraging members to do better, supporting them through victories and downfalls, and boosting their moods (especially in TCR) by doing fun icebreakers.

Interpersonal learning:

I took a different approach to interpersonal learning, throwing out icebreakers so that people would bond together, and give feedback on other's ideas, which not only helped build up self-esteem, but helped people bond. Then, with the confidence and self-love that they inherited, they could become bolder, and become a better listener/member.

@ASilentObserver

Discussion:
Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.

I applied universality and instilling hope, two of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room. I sensed that the members and listeners from different parts of the world felt like they belonged and were part of the 7cups community through mutual understanding, empathy, respect, trust, and validation. It surely introduces a belief that we are not alone, and we were all equal in facing worries and growing to reach our potential at one step at a time or day by day process. Offering appropriate and relevant information about struggles and recovery can help support others who are going through similar circumstances.

@ASilentObserver

Hello! I'm fangirling over the fact that you're mentioning famous psychologists :D

Discussion: Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.

I like to think I do my best to work with each of these factors in some way

1. Instills Hope: I usually share a very small snippet about myself to show people that they're not alone in having these experiences as a group moderator. e.g. "I can relate, having struggled with depression for years myself.". I suppose the fact that they see me as a mod and in other leadership roles is a testament to the fact that we're not defined by our struggles and can still find ways to make it work regardless.
2. Universality: I validate peoples' feelings to make them remember that their experiences are normal. It is okay to feel in XYZ way after ABC incident. It's part of being human.
3. Imparting Information: I do my best to provide accurate answers when asked to prevent the wrong details from spreading. For example, if someone asks for a definition of a psychological term or a mental health condition, I would go search for a definition from a reputed source like the American Psychological Association and quote it. I would also emphasise after that listeners and members on 7 Cups are not experts and that ti's best to seek such informaiton from valid and reliable sources including experts.
4. Altruism: As a moderator, an important part of the role is promoting a safe and healthy group environment. I do my best to de-escalate conflict and make sure everyone is beiung support as this is what will be beneficial to all group members.
5. The corrective recapitulation of the primary family group: I get to know regulars in group rooms over time and it's heart warming to see people in group rooms being supprotive of one another by empathising and offering suggestions (not advice) as to how you can cope with a given problem.
6. Development of socialisation techniques: There are a good deal of members who find it difficult to talk in real life, but online chatting gives them a safe space to develop those skills with less pressure. It's nice to see people coming out of their shell and feeling more comfortable with sharing over time.
7. Imitative Behaviour: I guess I do my best as a moderator to model appropriate behaviour to other listeners—I can be fun but still maintain professionalism—and to memebers in the room: treat people the way you want to be treated. It makes me feel good to see people becoming more culturally sensitive for example, or sensitive to other peoples' needs as these are some of the kinds of values we try to emphasise on cups.
8. Interpersonal learning: I see how members learn to be more self-compassionate as encouraged by fellow group members, and that they often feel more and more like they have a safe space to share where they will be supported. Through the process of sharing, people start to gain better insights into their selves!
9. Group Cohesivenes: The sense of community on Cups create by group rooms really helps people to feel like they're not alone. I constantly remind people that "we're all here for them".
10. Existential Factors: I suppose as part of the rules, we're not allowed to give advice as what works for me may not work for you. So in chat rooms, there is an emphasis on autonomy and finding your own answers to questions you might have. This environment can be conducive to learning to make strides towards things you're passionate about despite any challenges you might face.