What makes a group a group
- a background, history and purpose
- structure imposed by the group leader
- an interaction pattern
- communication or action, verbal or nonverbal
- cohesion or a “we” feeling
- standards or rules of acceptable behaviours
What are the advantages of groups
- they are time and cost effective
- there is interaction with others
- > this facilitates persona growth through interaction
- > self knowledge through experience with others
- > experience of closeness and caring in a safe or trusting context
- > trying new behaviors with feedback provided by different people
- > OT groups facilitate learning new skills from others
When is group work inappropriate
- severely ill clients who are disoriented, confused, highly suspicious of others, in a full fledged manic state
- when a client has high level of cognitive impairment
- other conditions
What are group dynamics
- dynamics
- > forces that influence relationship of members and outcomes
- > eg; behaviors, roles assumed, norms in the group, leader style/behaviors
What is a group process
- how work/task of group is carried out
- >how members interrelate with each other, tasks are accomplished, decisions are made
What are micro level interactions vs macro level interactions
Micro level
->interpersonal difficulties can emerge between individuals at the structural or micro level of process
Macro Level
- > at the psychodynamic level
- > the members cover latent conflicts
- > unknown fantasies emerged in the form of behaviors
What are Yalom’s therapeutic factors
1)Interpersonal learning(input)
2) Catharsis
- >emotional discharge
3) Group cohesiveness
- >we’re here for each other
4) Self-understanding
- >is that why I do that?
5) Interpersonal learning
- >I can get along with others better
6) Existential factors
- >those deep human issues we all face and need to discuss
- >acceptance of death, long-term illness
7) Universality
- >I am not alone
8) Instillation of hope
- >maybe things can get better
9) Altruism
- >I have the chance to help others
10) Family re-enactment
- >let’s try that again
11) Imparting information
- >I might know something that can help you
12)Imitation
What are the 3 types of leadership styles in OT groups
- directive
- facilitative
- advisory
Describe the directive leadership style
- group is immature
- cognitive level is low
- insight is minimal
- verbal skills are low
- motivation is low
- goal is to accomplish the task
- therapists are in charge of selecting, teaching and demonstrating
Describe the facilitative leadership style
- the group’s maturity is medium to high
- cognitive level is medium
- insight is fair-good
- verbal skills are average
- motivation is medium
- goal is to learn skills from experience
- therapists select and learn together with clients
Describe the advisory leaderships style
- the group has high level of maturity
- cognitive level is high
- insight is very good
- verbal skills are at a high level
- motivation levels are high
- goal is to understand the process
- members select and seek advice
What is the role of the co-leader
- mutual support
- increased objectivity
- collective knowledge
- models
- other various roles
What is the difference between leader-centered interaction and group-centered interaction
- leader-centered interactions is where the leader is in the middle and interacts with all other members
- > no interactions between members
-group-centered interaction is where interactions occcurs between group members and also the leader
Describe the group process
1) Introduction
- >warm up; set the mood and expectations, purpose, rules, outline
2) Activity
- >timing; therapeutic goals, knowledge and skills of the leader
3) Sharing
- >members share work/experience with the group
4) Processing
- >members express how they feel about the experience
5) Generalizing
- >what do we learn from the group(a few principles)
6) Application
- >how the principles learned can be applied to everyday life
7) Summary
- >review the goal, content, process of the group, including the emotional component, the learning component
- >homework, the next session
What are some problems that may arise in groups
1) Unequal participation
- >non participant
- >silence
- >monopolizing(dominance)
2) Attention getting behaviors
- >the self-deprecator
- >the help-rejecting complainer
- >the narcissistic member
3)Psychotic behaviours
4) Aggressive behaviours
- >hostile
- >passive-aggressive
What does the group protocol include
- includes group content and structure
- may include:
- > group’s name
- > purpose, short description or narrative
- > goals
- > content or methods
- > contraindications for memberships
How should group outcomes be defined
- it should define types of outcomes to measure group success
- > should be tied to goals
How should evaluation be conducted in a group setting
- attendance record
- self-report(evaluation by members that include journals, narratives)
- behavioral observation form
- goal attainment scaling
What does documentation cover in a group setting
-it covers process, content and outcomes
What are the key ingredients to OT groups
- doing(activity engagement)
- > develops skills
- > experiences positive emotions
Interpersonal connection
- > a sense of belonging and support
- > a sense of acceptance and understanding
Here and NOw
- > distracted them from the symptoms or negative life events
- > allow them to be themselves without having to hide unpleasant feelings
What are positive experiences borne out of a transformative process facilitated by the key ingredients in OT
- enhanced self-esteem
- senses of belonging
- developed skills
- emotional experience
What is psychoeducation
- it is a structured approach for partnering with clients and family to support recovery
- psychoeducation has its roots as a family-focused intervention
- > it is considered evidence-based approach
- clients/families receive information about living with mental illnesses
- > this includes managing symptoms, problem-solving, communication, coping skills, stress management, activity/participation, time management
What is the target population of psychoeducation
- the mental health system
- > from adolescences to older adulthood
- > inpatients
- > outpatients
- > family members/caregivers
What kind of mental health conditions can psychoeducation be used for
- it can be used for individuals of a wide range of health-related conditions
- > particularly for those who have a more persistent or chronic nature of health conditions and are learning to live with it
