Suggestions For Leading A Group Session?

Meerkat · Jan 10, 2006

Please? Anybody???

Gail-Anne · Jan 10, 2006

Lots of years since I worked psych... what kind of people in the group? We always had a variety of groups. Something as simple as "activities of daily living" for example. It's amazing how many people don't know how to read clothing labels and do laundry, teens may not understand finances and how to keep track of their money. Manners and how to behave applying for a job (can get role playing going---get a teen to be the "suit" and you be the gum chewing, foul-mouthed kid and see if they'd hire you!)

Not all groups have to be about dealing with your mental state. Sometimes these other groups get people talking.

Meerkat · Jan 11, 2006

Lots of years since I worked psych... what kind of people in the group? We always had a variety of groups. Something as simple as "activities of daily living" for example. It's amazing how many people don't know how to read clothing labels and do laundry, teens may not understand finances and how to keep track of their money. Manners and how to behave applying for a job (can get role playing going---get a teen to be the "suit" and you be the gum chewing, foul-mouthed kid and see if they'd hire you!)
Not all groups have to be about dealing with your mental state. Sometimes these other groups get people talking.

Those are gret suggestions! Thank you! Know of any websites that give tips on presenting?

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jan 11, 2006

Check out http://www.GuidanceChannel.com and http://www.wellness-resources.com

I get a catalog regularly from these people that has all sorts of ideas, games and books in it.

CharlieRN · Jan 20, 2006

Group leadership is a therapy role. You are right to be careful.

An insight oriented group should be co lead. Two leaders for not more than a dozen patients. The leaders take turns talking or coordinating the discussion while the other is observing the process. The second leader is not an optional extra. In an insight oriented group, if the second leader is not available, cancel the group. This is a powerful theraputic modality and it can blow up in your face. Been there done that. Trust me on this.

As an untrained leader you should not attempt insight oriented group therapy. You can lead instructional groups. Basicly these are small classes.

Nurses usually get the med education, drug education groups, and groups for adolescents.

The general rule for these groups is to allow the partisipants to tell you what you need to focus on, within the limits of the group topic. If all your patients are depressed and on antidepressents then a long discussion on antipsychotics is probably not needed.

A word about groups for adolescents: ALWAYS BE HONEST. Do not fake it. Kids have excellent bullsh*t detectors. If you don't know, say so. Then give as straight an answer as possible. There is a great shortage of sources of reliable information in kids lives. Most people telling kids things are trying to control their behavior. They know this and discount the information received. Unfortunately they discount it even when it is true. If you can become the person to whom they go to for the straight info, you will do them a great service.

Lastly, all groups with adolescents are about sex. Regardless of where the discussion started out that's where it ends up. If you are not comfortable with this, become so.

funnygirl_rn2 · Jan 25, 2006

Group leadership is a therapy role. You are right to be careful.
An insight oriented group should be co lead. Two leaders for not more than a dozen patients. The leaders take turns talking or coordinating the discussion while the other is observing the process. The second leader is not an optional extra. In an insight oriented group, if the second leader is not available, cancel the group. This is a powerful theraputic modality and it can blow up in your face. Been there done that. Trust me on this.
As an untrained leader you should not attempt insight oriented group therapy. You can lead instructional groups. Basicly these are small classes.
Nurses usually get the med education, drug education groups, and groups for adolescents.
The general rule for these groups is to allow the partisipants to tell you what you need to focus on, within the limits of the group topic. If all your patients are depressed and on antidepressents then a long discussion on antipsychotics is probably not needed.
A word about groups for adolescents: ALWAYS BE HONEST. Do not fake it. Kids have excellent bullsh*t detectors. If you don't know, say so. Then give as straight an answer as possible. There is a great shortage of sources of reliable information in kids lives. Most people telling kids things are trying to control their behavior. They know this and discount the information received. Unfortunately they discount it even when it is true. If you can become the person to whom they go to for the straight info, you will do them a great service.
Lastly, all groups with adolescents are about sex. Regardless of where the discussion started out that's where it ends up. If you are not comfortable with this, become so.

Charlie, excellent advise! Also good regarding extra milieu staff while runnning groups as you said...depending how many kids you have. Your last paragraph..."all groups with adolescents are about sex". That is so TRUE. I work with male adolescents...:-)

Merrkat, Some of the groups I have done vary... from practicing going on a job interview, manners, hygiene (believe me some kids don't know how to wash/clean properly & use deoderant/antiperspirant). I did this with another kid, we worked together on this & directed this issue towards the entire group...we both talked about it, since he has come to me numerous times regarding some the other kids "stinky" hygiene. We practiced together, since I wanted him to use "tact & courtesy". I also use my local health department...they have excellent brochures, not all writing,, pictures included regarding topics on Safe Sex, STDs, HIV/AIDS, etc. I recently picked up a bunch of brochures on teens with tatoos...they liked that one & learned about Hepatitis. Good Luck!

Lizzie

funnygirl_rn2 · Jan 25, 2006

Also, just thought of another one. Diet...kids that age have body image issues. Maybe incorporate a healthy diet & exercise group. Lots of brochures at the Health Dept on this subject as well. Plus they are free!

Lizzie

mshrn · Feb 5, 2006

www.treatmentteam.com has lots of info and handouts for use in educating mentally ill clients about their illness, meds,relapse prevention...we have the info on the unit in a binder (sponsored by a drug company, but there is no advertising of meds)...you can also print anything directly from the website.

A2G · Apr 30, 2006

Hi, you've been doing groups for about a year now, hope it's gotten easier/better. I'm in a training program that specializes in group therapy, called social therapy. They have a book called "Psychological Investigations: A Clinical Guide to Social Therapy" written by Fred Newman and Lois Holzman. I've gotten a lot out of it. I've been leading groups for many years and I think it's one of the best environments for helping people grow emotionally. Another author that's written some very interesting

books on group therapy is Irwin Yalom - I think he's sort of the father of group therapy.

Hope this adds to your repertoire.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Apr 30, 2006

The power of group therapy, especially insight when led correctly (yes, co- leads), cannot be over emphasized. I have seen many remarkable turn arounds as a result of the group process. In conjunction with individual therapy, I am a firm believer in its use.

Supermomandnurse · Jan 25, 2007

I am dealing with the SAME problems..I am doing more social worker/psychotherapy stuff. This is a great site..I love phsych, how about you?