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.
I have noticed applying most of them but the one that resonates the most for me is
UNIVERSITALITY: Being a group and listening to people from different parts of the world understanding each other from biggest sorrows to day to day life always instills the belief within me that we all are equal. Many a times, I go to the room for some problem I am having but by reading the last few messages had done something that my problems seemed small and I could deal with them myself. Learning from this I too started to just be comfortable in the room.
@specialSnow9454 Great observation Snow. And, your thoughts reflect your key strength of being a firm believer in the people as ENFJ.
You are absolutely right we all are equal and our emotions are valid even if it seems smaller compared to others. So the question is how you can apply the universality as a group facilitator in the room so all feel comfortable to talk and share as you learned and did.
@ASilentObserver I would try to do this by initiating talks about everyday common topics ( may be trivial) like my favourite food. As people will participate more, that topic will provide a base for others topics and keep the conversation flowing.
@specialSnow9454
That factor also resonates with me the most as well! I feel like the factor of universality is the most used especially when you are trying to relate to other members within the chatroom.
One of factors that I have applied in a group is:
Imparting information: They can help each other by sharing information, stories to develop a connection, and a healthy discussion.
As part of the group room that I participate in, we share knowledge and information in the discussons. This allows people from all over the world, and from every stage of life, to share their experiences and learn from one another. This seems to play a key role in developing mutual respect and appreciation within the group for one another.
@Sher217 Hi sher, Great observation, and application. I agree that sharing information, thoughts, and experiences allow one to develop a healthy connection with the group and makes one feel belonged. Would you like to share an incident where you applied it in the rooms and made someone share their story, knowledge, or experiences with the rest in the room?
@ASilentObserver
Sure! The group is a discussion style that poses questions to the group for their feedback (and then the host shares the 'correct answer' if there is one). So for example, as a co host, when the question is asked, I will share my thoughts or experiences with the room. This hopefully inspires others to participate and share their thoughts and experiences as well.
I have really enjoyed these discussions as I feel it builds strength and closeness within the group, and also we all learn from one another.
@Sher217
This is a really good factor to implement in your group discussions. Because by sharing information, thoughts and experiences, not only are you developing the relationship with your group, you are also providing them wisdom as well in order to better deal with or cope with their current situation.
@ASilentObserver
Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
I think one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room that I find really useful and can surely say that helps when it comes to myself and others I have been in contact with is, 'Universality'.
("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.")
I remember this one time when I was in a room with 3 other members, and once I have shared a bit about my background into that certain matter the group support was intented for, they have started feeling really understood and started engaging into the conversation a lot more than before. What I have learnt is that many people are looking for help in places where they can get support from people who can relate and empathize with them more, where they can see others who have lived through the experience themelves moving on and getting over that specific situation.
@Ines1229 Great observation, learning and sharing Ines. thank you for sharing it with us. I am glad the member felt understood and engaged to share more. So, question is if a member is new and enter the room for the first time and having social anxiety, what could you do as a group facilitator to make them feel comfortable so they start talking and sharing too.
@ASilentObserver
I think it's really important to encourage members of the group to welcome the member after you have done this yourself. Then, giving out an ice breaker question may encourage them and others to join in and blend in the team easier!
What I have seen is that, usually, new members don't exactly know what is going on, so they don't know what to say. They sometimes have loads of questions - so if that's the case, maybe PMing them and answering their questions may be a really important step! <3 Whenever you know what is going on, you know the steps that you have to take, so you are more confident!
@Ines1229
Loved this!
@ASilentObserver
Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
I have certainly used Group Cohesiveness In a group support setting
This is very important when you are leading a discussion to make it known to all those participating in the discussion what we are seeking to achieve by having the discussion whether it be to learn, have fun, make eachother laugh or just to get to know eachother! Making sure everyone knows the purpose of the discussion and working towards goal as a cohesive unit makes all the discussions possible and much more enjoyable
@Azalea98 Well said AZ. The purpose of the discussion is important to be clear for everyone so all be well aligned and synced so that everyone can have a healthy interaction and sharing with each other. So what could you do to make it clear for all who are present in the room or to those who are entering the room?
@ASilentObserver
Banners 😛
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
I feel I have used many of these factors in the group support room. The one I have applied the most is, universality or instilling hope. With many different people in different stages of certain problems, knowing that someone else has recovered from what you're going through really helps the person realise that it really does get better and it's more than possible to recover. When in a group chat with a few other people, the group was focussed on depression, I noticed people were saying how nothing will change and like it'll always be a bad time. So, to instill hope in those people, i mentioned (Appropriate info) a bit of my story, mentioning I recovered and now I'm happy helping other people get through the similar things I did. This I'm sure made people feel less alone and more hopeful that things will change and get better for the future.
One of the principles that I use is Group cohesiveness as it allows me the chance to get the group to feel connected as well. When the group feels connected to each other then members tend to open up more as about what is going on in the world as well. An example, I use a lot of group closeness is when your welcome into the chat but also how everyone knows their favorite food and what si going on in their lives as well.
@ASilentObserver
Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room:
"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."
I often see that group members often imitate others. It tells you that there are people who look up to you and it doesn't unsavorily put pressure on you but it shows that your setting a good example as well. I feel as though when you observe the skills and qualities of others you learn more and get a better example how things are to be. As it says, it does help you develop and grow more. When starting as a new listener I often observed leaders and other members, that's how I grew my skills to becoming a better listener. Imitating what they would say in a certain situation can help you create your own response and develop lots of other skills.
@mxmes
This is so true! I especially love this line:
When starting as a new listener I often observed leaders and other members, that's how I grew my skills to become a better listener. Imitating what they would say in a certain situation can help you create your own response and develop lots of other skills.
Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room:
Interpersonal learning: By having role models in the rooms in positions like room supporter or moderator or chat supporter, the members of the room can gain skills about how to interact for the future and get feedback for how to improve based off of the leaders they see engaging in those things. I have seen this happen in listener support rooms, through support, encouragement, feedback and group learning, this will help them become better listeners to members and improve their confidence and self esteem
@ASilentObserver
To be honest I wasn't aware of Yalom Therapeutic Factors until now on GLDD. Apparently, one or more of those factors have been applied in Group Support Rooms. I would choose Imparting Information as an example.
Imparting Information in the Specific Group Support Room created when a topic of discussion pitches to the forum and participants share each of their experiences, opinions, thoughts and or perspectives.
This structure may give attendants the opportunity to learn and to adopt coping strategies and perspectives of others.
Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
This is a really interesting topic and I can see how all of these factors apply to the group rooms.
One of the factors I have consciously tried to apply in Sharing Circle is imitative behaviour. Usually there are enough members who have participated before and new members can see what is happening and how to join in. However, on some occasions when there was a high proportion of new members and they seemed unsure or shy about joining in, I asked if there was an experienced member in the room who would like to do a short share as an example. This allowed new members to see how it works, and gave some of them the confidence to join the sharing queue afterwards.