Group Processes and Stages of Formation Essay Paper
Group Processes and Stages of Formation Essay Paper
Group Processes and Stages of Formation
Review chapter 5, 8 and 9 of the book cited below.
Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books.
• Explain the group’s processes and stage of formation.
• Explain curative factors that occurred in the group. Include how these factors might impact client progress.
• Explain intragroup conflict that occurred and recommend strategies for managing the conflict. Support your recommendations with evidence-based literature
Group Processes and Stages of Formation
Part 1.
Group processes refer to the motivation for individuals forming a group. In the present case, the group has been formed as part of a psychiatric treatment strategy. For that matter, it was formed with the intention of seeking relief or help with their psychiatry issue (Allen & Spitzer, 2015). Although groups are formed with specific objectives, like any other social entity, it goes through stages that correlate its existence with how well the objectives have been addressed as well as how the group members relate with each other. The present group can be considered to be in the forming stage. Group Processes and Stages of Formation Essay Paper That is because the members have already set the group objectives and are yet to actively begin seeking treatment. That is to say that passive treatment has begun since all the members all recognize that they have a psychiatric issue and become part of the group to seek effective treatment. Besides that, the group members are acclimatizing with each other with conflicts emerging over who should be in the group and how they should relate. In the current session, Pam and Philip are two group members who do not seem to be getting along. Based on their conversation, they each appear to be resolved to not coexist within the same group. Besides that, the members seem to have formed subgroups based on the existing conflict with one subgroup supporting Philip while the other subgroup supports Pam (Psychotherapy.net, 2011; Yalom & Leszcz, 2005). There is a need for the current conflict to be addressed to allow the group to move into the next stage of formation while ensuring that none of the members leave the group. Addressing this conflict requires that the therapy present strategies for improving group cohesiveness through compromise and support so that future conflicts are avoided. Once the group is able to address the present conflict, it will move into the norming stage where they will harmonious relationships that allows them to better focus on addressing the initial group objectives (Smith, 2012).
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Part 2.
Although active treatment is yet to begin, passive treatment is already occurring within the group interactions. This is evidenced by the presence of four curative factors. The first curative factor is the presence of the group members, an indication that they are willing to be part of the group to address their psychiatric issues. This is seen in the conflict between Pam and Philip who despite having a mutual dislike for each other, they are unwilling to leave the group. The second curative factor is the presence of a therapist who has the professional knowledge and experience in guiding group activities to develop solutions. The third curative factor is the presence of an open forum that allows the members to freely express themselves, as is seen when Pam and Philip openly engage in conflict rather than repressing their mutual dislike. This is important for the group activities since it implies that the members will contribute to group debates without being reserved. The final curative factor is that the members are offered a forum in which to engage in social discussions that allow them to better understand and appreciate social interactions even as they engage with each other. Through experiencing this conflict, the members will understand what to say and how to express themselves when in a conflict (Allen & Spitzer, 2015; Yalom & Leszcz, 2005). These four curative factors show that treatment is proceeding towards addressing their needs.
Part 3.
An intragroup conflict occurred during the group meeting. Two members, Pam and Philip, have strongly expressed their dissatisfaction with each other and expressing the intent of not being part of the same group. Pam mentions that she cannot be within the same treatment group and Philip, and would rather quit the group if Philip does not leave the group. Although Philip has not given a similar ultimatum, he expresses dissatisfaction from being treated differently when compared to how Pam is treated within the group. He notes that he is less appreciated when compared Pam. That is because the other members are keen to assuage Pam’s anger but are less concerned with him (Psychotherapy.net, 2011). Failing to address the intragroup conflict threatens the whole group. That is because if the conflict continues than either Pam or Philip would be forced to leave the group, and other members are also likely to join them in leaving. In addition, some of the members leaving would demonstrate to the remaining members that they are not appreciate within the group and them leaving or staying is of not consequences. As a result, the existing conflict should be addressed. To address the conflict, there is a need to consider the intragroup conflict as an opportunity to improve cohesion. Through resolving the conflict and ensuring that none of the group members leaves, the group members would feel better appreciated and more motivate to be part of the group even as they actively contribute. Besides that, the members can consider the present conflict as an opportunity to learn more about conflict resolution (Smith, 2012; Yalom & Leszcz, 2005).
References
Allen, K. & Spitzer, W. (2015). Social Work Practice in Healthcare: Advanced approaches and emerging trends. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Psychotherapy.net (Producer). (2011). Group therapy: A live demonstration. [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Author.
Smith, G. (2012). Psychological Interventions in Mental Health Nursing. Berkshire: Open University Press.
Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books. Group Processes and Stages of Formation Essay Paper
