Preliminary Planning

Question 1

4. purpose

Answer 1

= why the group is meeting and what the goals and objectives are

Question 2

can the group have more than one purpose?

Answer 2

• yes
• many groups may have multiple purposes (provide support, information, therapy)
• need to consider whether or not they are compatible

Question 3

must each session have a purpose?

Answer 3

• yes
• purpose can be more specific (have fun, build trust, increase commitment)
• serve either as part of multiple purpose or the sole purpose for one or more sessions

Question 4

if the leader is clear, will the members be?

Answer 4

• not always
• often members have their own ideas of what the group should be about, they try to steer it in that direction
• some members come to groups for reasons other than the stated purpose
• members may not be clear about the group’s purpose, some find it hard to understand what is going on

Question 5

5. frequency and time of meeting

Answer 5

• for how many sessions will the group meet?

- when will the group meet?

Question 6

6. membership selection

- screening and selecting members

Answer 6

a) personal interview: time-consuming, best method
- individual contact with potential member
- informing member about the group, assessing appropriateness
b) written screening: members complete written form
- find out information needed to form a group of members who can share and learn together
c) by referral sources: inform possible referral sources (teachers, therapists, hospital) about group, its purpose and kind of members sought

Question 7

preliminary group session

Answer 7

• has specific purpose:
• -> getting acquainted, clarify personal and group goals, learn about procedures, discuss possible risks, discuss confidentiality, explore their fears and expectations

Question 8

7. structure planning

- big-picture planning

Answer 8

• list all possible topics that need to be covered or could be covered
• leader considers which topics should be addressed in the beginning stage, or later ones
• talk with colleagues, read books, gather information to help planning

Question 9

7. structure planning

- session planning

Answer 9

• plan specific session involves deciding on topics and group activities + delegate approximate amount of time needed for each
• consider stage of group, anticipate problems when planning
• plan format for the session, plan the phases of the session (warm-up, working, closing)
• -> STAY FLEXIBLE: if valuable new topic emerges during session, adjust plan

Question 10

frequent mistakes in planning

Answer 10

• not planning
• too much planning: superficial coverage of topics (better cover few topics but in depth)
• irrelevant content: some members might loose interest
• not allowing enough time for group to have significant meaning: allow to go to a deep level to learn and gain insights
• inappropriate exercises (members not ready), too many exercises
• poor planning of time, order
• not planning an interesting beginning
• allowing too much time for warm-up, not enough time
• lack of flexibility