Groups in contemporary mental health
Reflect move to community
Staff act as facilitators rather than directors
Focus on strengths not deficits
Client centered
What are the 5 main eras of groups in OT
- Project - collectives perform independent tasks together
- Socialization
- The group dynamic process
- The ego building/psychodynamic
- Adaption
What are the problems in group interactions and how can they be solved?
- Withdrawal.
Encourage all to contribute, pairs activities, link with other members. - Conflict
Remind the group of ground rules, acknowledge the value of different opinions but also the harm of hurtful interactions. Focus on issue not person. Allow time to talk and allow group brainstorming. - Expressed emotion.
Respond with empathy, acknowledge validity, find out what they need to do now. Support return to group. - Domination
Acknowledge opinion, stop them and invite other opinions. Ground rules. - Intermittent participation.
Follow-up and determine reasons. Seek evaluation and feedback,
Why might group therapy be used in a mental health setting as opposed to an individual or family based method of service delivery?
Cost efficient Opportunity to use social skills Empower those with similar experiences Behavior change Learning opportunities Leadership opportunities Build self esteem Role modeling Instilling hope Universality Imparting information Altruism Interpersonal learning Imitative behavior Catharsis Cohesiveness
What are the seven standards of competency for OTs in mental health
- Facilitate Occ. Development with individuals, groups, organizations and communities
- Work with teams
- Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with consumers and carers
- Undertake and support systems advocacy, to support consumer and carer self advocacy
- Undertake evaluation and research activities
- Manage professional practice
- Maintain professional development
What are the 5 key recovery concepts?
Hope (hope to get well)
Personal responsibility (it’s up to you with help to get well)
Discovery (education. Learn about this experience/condition)
Self advocacy (reach out)
Connectedness (support)
Basic assumptions of recovery
- Recovery can occur WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL intervention
- A common denominator of recovery is the PRESENCE OF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE in the person
- A recovery vision is NOT A FUNCTION of ones THEORY about the CAUSES
- Can occur even though SYMPTOMS REOCCUR
- Unique
- Choice
- Recovering from the CONSEQUENCES can be more difficult than recovering from the illness itself
5 main sections of WRAP
- Daily maintenance
- Triggers
- Early warning signs
- When things are breaking down
- Personal crisis plan
Plans are developed for all of these
Curative aspects of a group
Instilling hope Universality Imparting information Altruism Interpersonal learning Development of socializing techniques Imitative behavior Catharsis Cohesiveness
Main characteristics and qualities of a group
Characteristics ➡️ Dynamic interaction among members ➡️ a common goal ➡️ dependence on a proper relationship between size and function ➡️ dependence on volition and consent ➡️ capacity for self determination
Qualities
➡️ group consciousness
➡️ ability to act in a unitary manner
What’s needed for DIY group development
Needs analysis
Develop programme
Run programme
Evaluate and revise
What is considered in group planning
Role of group leader
Goals- overall, session, individual
Participants- who, how,number, closed, open
Workers- how many staff, can consumers be leaders,required skill
Resources- venue, transport, food, items, cost, backup place
What are the checklist containing elements for evaluating group effectiveness
Form and structure
Group purpose
Leadership
Group dynamics / changes: bonding, participation, conflict, trust, changes in roles of participants
Evaluation techniques
Recording: progress notes based on checklist
Reflections
Overall evaluation at the end of the program based on checklist, consumer feedback and individual goal attainment
Reasons for recording group observation
For development of leader- self awareness
Inform other staff about development of participants
Ongoing record of participants progress
For development of other staff
For evidence of benefits of running the group
Tasks of facilitating
Orient members to goals
Establish group rules
Encourage/manage interactions
