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
Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
Universatiality. By sharing experiences and supporting one another. By being a group as a whole and supporting all these people from all over the world. Understanding each other.
@milkoreos
Understanding each other can make people feel heard which is a great way to get people to be interacting in the community.
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
The one that stood out to me the most, is the Universality Yalom Therapeutic Factor. I love participating/leading discussions in very specific chatrooms. When there, whether I am supporting, or leading a discussion, I always make use of the fact that many of the persons participating share a common problem. and I use it to bring us all together, It's always beautiful to see how one common problem could make persons feel heard, understood and supported.
@xoBeebosBubsxo
Hi Bubsxo,
It sounds that discussions are one of your strong passions on here and something that you enjoy as well. What is a discussion topic that you would like to see in the future that you want to host?
@Asher
Oh wow! This is so hard to choose. I think I'd have to say anything around the stigma of mental health. And how to break that stigma of persons not taking it serious. Where persons can share their own personal struggles, and experiences where they were looked down upon/not listened to when they needed help because of that stigma. I feel like a lot of persons can relate to that and it would be so wonderful to come together as a community and highlight that.
@xoBeebosBubsxo
That sounds like a great topic. Reach out if you need someone to bounce ideas off of as well.
@ASilentObserver
Discussion: Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
Group cohesiveness: As there is a common goal, members gain a sense of belonging and community feeling.
I thought one of the most important factors in the group support room was group cohesiveness. When listners and members are popping in and out during conversations in the group room it can be a little disoreinting and the participating members can easily loose focus of the topic at hand. By saying welcome to the members and giving them a recap or telling them the overall theme of what we were all discussing so we can continue our support!
@olivia5611
That's very insightful. Thanks for sharing with us.
@ASilentObserver
Discussion 3: Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
One of the most common Yalom Therapeutic factors which I always and always apply is instilling hope. No matter what the people are going through, in the very end, I always support the member and instill hope in them that things will definitely get better and that they are not alone.
@caringHope1976
I totally agree, based on my experience, that Hope is one of the most powerful outcomes of group-support sessions.
@caringHope1976
That is very true. Hope is what will keep people going no matter how much they struggle.
Discussion: Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
Hmm, I’ve used the imitative behaviour factor because I’m an observer and learn, understand quickly unconsciously and adapt to my surroundings. I’ve seen so many successful leaders who have a good leadership and personality and try to be supportive and responsive to every message they get. I try to respond to each one of the messages they give me and I try to be supportive and radiate a positive energy in the room. So I imitated their personality and so on in the chatrooms and I got a really good response and reaction from everyone which leads me to positivity and satisfaction from everything in the room. I also try to be a fun and outgoing person who blends in the crowd.
@ASilentObserver
Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
All of these are so vastly used in the group support rooms, it's hard to choose just one lol.
*26 hours later*
The one I'd write about is, group cohesiveness. It's really important to have a clear and common goal to succeed as a group. Be it learning, recovering or something else.
I've seen that a lot of time, members/listeners don't participate because they are not sure what the objective of the room or discussion is. In most cases, I've seen that when I make em understand the objective/purpose of a chatroom or discussion, they're more freely participating as they now understand what the goal is and start feeling a sense of belonging!😊
@cheerfulIceCream
I totally agree that one of our jobs is being benevolent shepherds, keeping the group together focused on fulfilling its mission (discussing an issue, mutual support, venting, etc.). I have always seen (in and out of 7 Cups) a feedback loop in this. The more cohesive a group is, the more capable it is in fulfilling its mission. The more successful in accomplishing its mission, the more cohesive the group becomes and stays.
@ASilentObserver
In my view, I don't exactly "apply" these Factors, but they are a consequence of a group working well (promoting this is my job). As I see it, these therapeutic actions are carried out mostly by the members themselves in their mutual interactions.
I have witnessed many of these happening, many times, and this is what gives me the certainty that this kind of activity, group-support, is really, powerfully therapeutic, and not just recreational.
I would choose Hope as one of the most powerful therapeutic outcomes of group-support. But I can hardly say that "I apply it", as it happens among members.
Sure, I can say "You will get better, etc, etc." but this would be a feeble remedy compared with the powerful example of people that have actually "been there", healed most wounds, and can attest that healing is possible, that there is Hope.
@ASilentObserver
Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
Ans: I have applied 'Imparting information' in a lot of group settings by sharing information, stories, anecdotes- without getting into too much of details and maintaining professionalism, of course- and participating in discussions.
@ASilentObserver
Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
"Imparting information: They can help each other by sharing information, stories to develop a connection, and a healthy discussion."
I've used probably all of the factors in GSRs but one I've enjoyed most recently is Imparting Information...specifically in the Listener Support Rooms. I love seeing new listeners come and check in and ask for help. Usually if they are very new, they come in a little panicked asking for help, and before you know it almost every person in the LSR, including me, is answering their questions, relating to the issue, and sharing helpful links/resources. I have a folder in my notes titled "Give To New Listeners" with four links i copy and paste anytime I see a very new listener join us. It's pretty cool to see someone go from feeling alone and not sure what to do, to feeling supported and empowered.
Share your experience of how you applied one of the Yalom Therapeutic Factors in the Group Support Room.
I like the first factor - instilling hope. In group support rooms, I've often played the role as a listener and friend for people who are going through hard times. And I find that telling them that it's going to be okay and that they're fine helps calm a lot of people during particularly difficult situations. It can seem hopeless at times but hope is there, no matter what. Regardless of how desperate or lonely one might feel like they are at a particular moment, they're never alone. Because hope, will always be with them too.
