Group Therapy Interventions for Therapists
For group therapy to be effective, therapists should first set up the standards for group work. The therapist must consider and tend to different matters within the group to ensure that the group is running well.
Therapist interventions are steps taken by a therapist that is clear-cut and definite. These distinct actions complement one another and result in an effective outcome of group therapy.
Group therapy involves working with diverse clients together as a group. There should be a strong therapeutic relationship between every member of the group, including the therapist.
Here we talk about some interventions used in group therapy by therapists that are of significance.
Executive Role
As the group leader, therapists should establish boundaries and ensure the members respect such boundaries at all times. The executive functions of a therapist will dictate the harmony of the group.
The boundaries usually include:
- Time management - Adhere to group timings and be punctual.
- Rules - Setting strict rules and limits
- Group membership - Deciding who joins the group
- Topic of discussion - Ensure everyone sticks to the subject and intervene if someone goes off course.
- Emotional expressions - Are these helping the therapy sessions?
- Anxiety levels - Ensure balance so that the anxiety levels in the group is neither too high nor too low.
It is the responsibility of a therapist to set rules for group therapy sessions and be vigilant. A productive executive role is crucial for good group therapy.
Caring
Therapists must consider the well-being of the group members. They should be concerned regarding the success of the therapy that the members are receiving.
How the members of the group treat and respond to one another entirely depends on the therapist. The therapist should ensure the group members are willing to understand and help each other. Without which the group may become hostile.
Members will become angry with each other and will not shy away from giving critical feedback. It is inevitable. However, every member must trust and commit to helping each other. If a therapist feels that this is not the case, then it is imperative to address it with the group and restore the sense of trust.
A therapist's care and concern will establish trust among the group members. It will result in a positive therapeutic relationship and the success of group therapy.
Activate Emotions
Therapists play a crucial role in activating emotions in the group. They should encourage group members to express emotions, feelings, and personal views.
Some groups bring in all the required energy and attitude that may not demand the therapist to intervene. However, some groups may require extra efforts and interventions by the therapists for emotional stimulation.
Group therapy works best when there is emotional communication involved among the members of the group. But, it has to be kept in check so that the members do not get carried away.
Emotional stimulation allows the members to reflect and learn about themselves and the others in the group.
Cognitive Aspect
When a client's emotions are activated, what does it mean to the person? How does it affect their personal experience?
Therapists should help the group members to expand their understanding of themselves, other members of the group, and people outside the group. It will help the members think about the possible steps they could take to make changes in their lives.
Members talking to each other and sharing comments will spontaneously facilitate an accurate and deep understanding of themselves and others. But, sometimes the therapist plays an active role in its promotion.
Therapists, by starting a conversation about how the members relate to each other, increase the anxiety levels. However, this is a good thing since it reveals a learning opportunity.
Facilitate Interpersonal Feedback
Group therapy helps the members to develop interpersonal learning like "how are others affected by me?" or "why did a person respond that way?" or "what is it about others that evoke a specific reaction in me?"
It is a result of exchanging interpersonal feedback. Therapists should be interested in facilitating the same.
For example, therapists could ask questions like "Why isn't anyone saying anything about John being late to the group meeting?" or "How does everyone respond to Richard's question for Donna?"
Eventually, the group members start responding to one another and initiate feedback without the therapist's push.
When a therapist is offered feedback or asks for it, it is imperative to acknowledge it and be open. Consider it honestly, instead of accepting or rejecting feedback automatically.
Sometimes the suggestions or feedbacks have no relevance, are invalid, or are different from the therapist's views. In such cases, instead of rejecting it defensively, therapists need to acknowledge it and consider and convey the same to the group.
Establish Group Norms
Therapists should strengthen group norms in group therapy. Usually, these develop naturally in the group. But sometimes, therapists have to intervene. It could include directing conversations among the members. Therapists could:
- choose which dialogues to respond to and which to ignore
- frame questions that they believe to be engaging
- encourage group members to interact with one another in a specific way
Some may oppose or ignore these efforts by the therapist. But, eventually, the therapist's authority and shaping of dialogue will bring all the members to interact harmoniously.
Self-disclosure
Unlike therapists with private practice, group therapists interact with a group of people. It makes them more exposed, both as an observer and a participant.
Self-disclosure if of two types:
- Judicious - Reveal only the relevant details, and the focus stays on the client.
- Excessive - Self-aggrandize, and shift the focus away from the client.
Group therapists self-disclose by talking about experiences outside the group that is relevant and helpful to what is happening within the group at that very moment. Sometimes, therapists self-disclose by talking about their experience with someone within the group.
Therapists could self-disclose by giving feedback about a group member's behavior and interpersonal impression without discrediting or blaming that person. It could be useful since it promotes interpersonal feedback.
A positive therapeutic relationship between the therapist and a particular member of the group motivates others to be interested and concerned. Instead of opposing the interventions in the therapy, they would embrace it and participate, thereby helping not only themselves but also the entire group.
Group counseling interventions can have a significant therapeutic impact and ensure the success of this effective group therapy.
