Therapeutic Group Facilitation Techniques

Theoretical Base

• Cole's Seven Step Groups are client-centered
• Each member is acknowledged as an individual
• Members are encouraged to participate and self-express
• Collaboration and mutual feedback are encouraged

7 Steps: Overview

• Introduction, Activity, Sharing, Processing, Generalizing, Application, Summary

Introduction

• Greeting and preparing the mood
• Focusing the group's attention and relaxing members
• Briefly explaining the purpose of the session and therapeutic goals
• Providing a structured outline of the session's time frame, media, and procedures

Activity

• The activity should be challenging and complex enough to generate meaningful discussion and learning
• The activity should be timed appropriately, typically taking up approximately one-third of the session time
• The activity should be chosen with the therapeutic goal in mind and consider the physical and mental capacities of the clients
• The leader's knowledge and skills should be adequate for the chosen activity
• Adaptations may be necessary to suit individual needs
• Clients should confirm their understanding of the activity
• Materials and supplies should be presented after the explanation and removed after the activity

Sharing

• Each member is invited to share their end product, experiences, perceptions, and feelings
• The leader should acknowledge each member's contributions
• The leader should model sharing, concern, and empathy
• Members are encouraged to share, but their limits should be respected

Processing

• The most important and challenging step
• Members express their feelings about the experience, the leader, and other members
• Can make leaders and clients uncomfortable
• Discussion of non-verbal aspects
• Underlying issues can arise, including power struggles, conflict, subgrouping, attraction, scapegoating, and avoidance
• Processing can have positive or negative effects