Group Counselling Flashcards
What is the difference between individual and group counselling?
Individual: Private & confidential, flexible, more time dedicated to individual issues, may be more appropriate depending on disorder (i.e. Personality disorders).
Group: Positive peer support, feedback & modelling, less shame, cost effective, social support system, sense of belonging/purpose.
What are the 5 models for group counselling?
1) Psychoeducational group
2) Skills development group
3) Cognitive-behavioural group
4) Support group
5) Psychotherapeutic group
What is a Psychoeducational group?
Educating people about substance abuse (or other challenges).
Participant experience and knowledge is encouraged to be shared.
Facilitator imparts knowledge.
What is a skills development group?
Helping members learn skills needed to change their behaviour.
i.e. Anger management group, parenting skills.
What is a cognitive-behavioural group?
Help members learn to alter thoughts, feelings, actions that lead to behaviour that reduce the quality of life.
What is a support group?
Provides an opportunity to share information and feelings that can lead to or maintain alterations in behaviour.
What is a psychotherapeutic group?
Provides an environment in one can examine historical and interpersonal issues that lead to or maintain problematic thinking, feeling, and behaviour.
More intense and long-term.
What is the difference between open and closed groups?
Closed: Development of cohesion and interpersonal trust.
Open: May be easier to maintain a “critical mass”. May have logistical issues (members can enter at different times).
What are personal growth groups?
Closed group.
Focus on personal growth.
Assist members with developing self-esteem, self-awareness, build confidence, and help through a life transition.
I.e. Stress for adolescent girls, women who’ve experienced IPV.
What is the difference between homogeneous vs heterogeneous group?
Homo: Everyone is the same.
Hetero: All different
What are some things to consider when developing a homogeneous vs heterogeneous group?
- Stages of change
- Level of abstinence
- Common purpose
- Comparable goals
- Modeling for group members in different stage of change
What are the 4 types of interventions for psychoeducational groups?
1) Educational Interventions
2) Affective Interventions
3) Behavioural Interventions
4) Cognitive Interventions
What are educational interventions?
Teach, inform, and educate group members. Correct misinformation and “myth busting”.
What are affective interventions?
Identify and name feelings. Learn how to explain intense emotions. Use active listening and paraphrasing skills.
Most of the time, fear underlies anger.
What are behavioural interventions?
Changing specific negative behaviours into more positive ones. Could include developing assertiveness skills or new ways to manage one’s anger.
What are cognitive interventions?
Confused thoughts, irrational beliefs, and negative self-talk in their minds. Changing these perceptions of themselves.
How can the Stages of Change model be applied for group counselling?
- Focus on motivation enhancement, motivation for change.
- Elicit change talk (desire, ability)
- Motivational vs. confrontational approach
- Motivation can be influenced, it is not a stable personality characteristic/trait
- Motivation is “fluid”, influenced by time & strategic interventions
- Group leaders should be empathetic and non-judgmental
What are the Stages of Change?
1) Pre-Contemplation
2) Contemplation
3) Preparation
4) Action
5) Maintenance
6) Relapse
Most often, ethical problems occur as a result of:
- Leaders not being competent
- Dual relationships
- Confidentiality
- Informing members about group
What are the 8 steps to making an ethical decision?
1) Acknowledge the problem/dilemma
2) Identify all the stakeholders
3) Identify relevant legal issues
4) Determine the values as stake
5) Review the Code of Ethics
6) Identify courses of action
7) Consult a supervisor
8) Decide on a course of action