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 really, really like the team I belong to. This is the Family and Carers group. I really like group conversations. It’s so awesome that there’s no label, it’s not that you’re a listener and you’re a member, there’s a group of people talking about a given topic. We share a lot of ideas, experiences, and we all learn a lot. I think when we talk, we help members (and listeners as well) almost unnoticed. There are some very good topics that play a role in our lives almost every day and during conversations we even heal a little bit, so to speak.
@ASilentObserver
This was really an enjoyable and educative read!
I have experienced most of these techniques, either while unconsciously trying to maintain them as a leader or as a member of a group in which these were being maintained, tho the most bold ones in my view are in listener rooms:
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.
This happens all the time in TL, I myself has learned a lot as a newbie by modeling chat support, peer support or more experienced listeners answering questions, explaining how too's for hard situations or simply answers to question about roles and events which can be really fun
Now I'm a CS trying to give the chance of modeling to others, but I'm still learning a lot from my fellow CS, mods and other listeners too
Hi Obs
I read the content. I am bit unclear. Maybe you can correct me and add me more information on it. I had attend few group discussion and observed that few member share very freely... few hesitate.... few say yeah I also gone through same ... being part of their group discussion I will .empathy .. or encourage them for keeping good work..what else
As the group is filled with so much different member stage.. usually group run by one who speak so I am not getting what leader do that make many people feel encourage to come forward and make it more interactive and fruitful. Any example you share.
If there r 20 people in group we could see only under 10 come up to day few r silent few just observed..
Many time I see max member contribute.. the energy level is so high..
I think that group cohesiveness Is important for lsr.
Every listeners needs to feel that they accepted and toward a Commen goal so they would feel safe to answer questions and willing accepted among the listeners, if they do not have this they would be trouble , things going crazy , information not getting up and a tense place to be at.
1.Group cohesiveness: As there is a common goal, members gain a sense of belonging and community feeling.
Group cohesiveness is super important. In the listener support rooms, I always emphasize that listeners are free to ask any questions they have about 7 Cups. This helps create a togetherness of the listener community.
@ASilentObserver
I've noticed that different therapeutic factors are more prominent for each separate event. I spend most of my time in Sharing Circle room, so my answer would be relevant to my experience there.
"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."
There are three main ways I have applied the Imitative behavior factor in the Group Support Room:
1. When I initially learned to host, I watched and observed com mods and experienced hosts host sessions. They demonstrated exemplary behavior as role models for what it means to be a host and interact with members.
2. I demonstrate what it means to lead sessions when newer hosts are struggling. It gives them a sense of what a host needs to do responsibilities that come with it.
3. I try to step in and help out with de-escalating conflict when moderators are busy. It shows participants that we should all work together to maintain a positive, supportive environment. And that we should not be engaging and encouraging conflicts. It also encourages others to step up and speak up in reminding each other of the guidelines.
1.Definitely group cohesiveness as I spend most of my time in the LSR. In this room, its important to let new listeners know that its okay to ask questions about 7cups and i always notice a huge group effort to answer any question that comes up.
@ASilentObserver
Heyo!
I think imparting useful information and knowledge is a very useful therapeutic factor in group support rooms. Not only experienced listeners and moderators, but also newly joined ones can share useful info.
I've personally implemented the idea on one occasion. Once a newly joined listener asked for help, since a member was sharing suicidal thoughts with them and they didn't know what to do. I quickly shared with them a crisis resource and suggested to inform the member that 7 cups listeners aren't allowed to offer advice in such situations, and that it would be more appropriate to contact a helpline. Not only will this knowledge be helpful to the new listener , the same can be passed on to other newbies too! So sharing information can be very helpful a lot of times.
Thanks a lot and have a great day :)
@ASilentObserver
I believe what I’m using most is existential factors. In the group discussions we (host and co host) try to make people become aware that to a great extent we are the designers of our lives, that we can influence how a situation unfolds and the outcome of challenges by taking responsibility for our action and our well-being, whether it is emotionally, mentally or physically. Information and possible coping skills are shared which can help members to feel more confident in the approach of whatever they face.
@ASilentObserver
Imparting information: They can help each other by sharing information, stories to develop a connection, and a healthy discussion.
Having a certain discussion enables the above and we all learn from each other and get inspired. This also allows for a bond to grow between the participants and we feel comfortable and open to share how we feel and think. The room becomes supportive and encourages a deep connection.
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.
Just like the other point, this one also contributes to motivation and inspiration. Participants truly enables others to take measures in their lives and experience the beauty of solutions.
