Behaviors While leading a group, the leader will at times be challenged by different problem behaviors in

Fantastic news! We've Found the answer you've been seeking!

Question:

Behaviors While leading a group, the leader will at times be challenged by different problem behaviors in group members. Members may engage in many types of behaviors that will disrupt the group process. These behaviors usually occur because group members begin to feel uncomfortable and anxious about trusting as the relationships in the group become more intimate. Group leaders need to develop methods of handling disruptive behaviors in a manner that is therapeutic but effective in eliminating the behavior. Consider the following case: You are leading a group of adults who have histories of trauma and abuse as children. The group has been meeting weekly for several weeks, and the members know each other fairly well. One of the group members, Jill, begins talking about her relationship with her father and how he hurt her. As she talks, she begins sobbing and has to stop what she is saying for a few seconds.

During this pause, another member, Sue, jumps in. Sue angrily states what she would like to do to Jill's father and that he was wrong for having done that to Jill. Sue then begins to rant about how men can not be trusted because they all hurt women, and there should be something done about this. During this time, you notice that Jill has shut down and is no longer crying. As a group leader in the above group, how would you handle this situation? What specific problem behaviors can you identify in this example? Why would you consider these problem behaviors, and what negative effect might they have on the group? How would you get the group back on track without alienating any of the group members? How would you continue to demonstrate empathy for all of the group members but still eliminate the problem behaviors? Give specific examples of interventions you would make to handle these problem behaviors. Support your ideas and suggestions with information from at least one research journal article or other professional resource. Challenges.

The conflicts encountered in a group therapy setting can often include challenging the group leader. The leader can be challenged either on a professional or on a personal basis by group members. Challenging the group leader is considered a normal stage of the group process and is the group's first attempt to establish autonomy. The group leader will need to allow and deal directly with the challenges to facilitate the progression of the group to the next phase. How the group leader navigates challenges and conflicts will determine the effectiveness of the group. Group leaders need to deal with the challenges in a nondefensive and nonhostile manner. Below is a common example of group members challenging the group leader. Read the situation and describe how you as the leader would deal with the challenge in a way that facilitates progress in the group toward the next phase. You are leading a group in a treatment facility for adolescents. Your group has eight male members ranging in age from 13 to 16. Each group member has had behavioral problems at home and at school, along with emotional disturbance. You have been leading the group for two months, during which time you have focused on developing greater emotional awareness, communication strategies, anger management skills, and problem-solving skills. During this session, one of the group members, John, begins by saying that he does not understand why they have to attend group sessions because the sessions are not helpful.

He complains that he does not get anything out of the group and believes it is a waste of his time. He asks you as the leader what training you have had, and questions whether or not you know what you are doing. He tells the other group members that he heard that you were new and did not have any experience. He states that he no longer wants to attend the group, and then begins a discussion of the latest sports event that was on television the night before. Several of the group members join in the discussion about the sports event. Support your ideas and suggestions with information from at least one research journal article or other professional resource.