Dynamic Of Group Work For Counselling Process: Discussion On Stress With A Support Group

Name of Group

Discuss about the Dynamic of Group Work for Counselling Process. 

The group discussion is arranged by associating the students. The name of the group is selected as Support Group and this group will discuss about stress.  

This group is formulated by gathering the young age people, especially the school students. It is noted that the students face many stressful scenarios, as they are engaged with tasks, assignments, exams, family, friends, and other social activities. The group discussion will thus be helpful for them to understand the different types of stress that people may experience. This group is associated the support group of students.  They will discuss about the different procedure of handling the stressful situations.

This particular group is basically task oriented. The group discussion includes the topic about stress and how to handle such stressful situations in different times. The task in this video is based on three questions related to the stress. The members associated in this group presented their perspectives about their behaviour towards different situations. For example, they discussed about the activities they undertake when they are stressed. They even communicated about the most probable actions that put themselves in a stressful situation. When each of the group members communicated about the different scenario, the other members could appreciate or oppose the view. They can even present the similar or contradictory view regarding the same purpose.

The group is formed by gathering the students from schools. There were two males and three female participants participated in this group discussion. The participants were all school students. They belong to age group from 16 to 21 years. Some of them considered as the sophomore and one female was the most junior girl in the group. They presented their views about the subject topic based on what they have experienced in their personal life.

The discussion was continued till 8 minutes and 49 seconds. It has been observed that during such time length, the interactive session followed the introductory part, the topic selection part, and the task oriented communications. The host of this interacting session introduced herself and communicated about their behavioural traits. She even mentioned that she needs to give the chances to the other members to share different view by cutting off too longer conversation. The associated members then introduced themselves to the host and to the other members. Accordingly, the group interactive session continued.

Purpose of Group

The interactive session started with the introductory part of the host. The lady introduced herself with the members presented in the room. She explained about this group discussion and introduced the topic. At the initial stage she informed that she will cut off the long sentences pronounced by any of the members, as she will be giving chance to other members to share the view. Moreover, she also informed about her eye contact and gestures. After this small beginning, the participants introduced themselves. The associated members are school students who usually face stresses in different situations. After the introductory part over, the host introduced the topic and the task. She explained that the task will be associated with three questions. The group will interact on each of the questions and can share their views about the responses derived from the other members. The first question highlighted the actions or the activities they usually undertake when they are in stress. Many of the activities are discussed in such regards. One of the females responded that she likes to cook, shop, clean the house, and go outside to spend alone time. Both of the male participants mentioned about sports and exercise can reduce the stress. However, one of the males even referred reading as the most effective way of removing stress. One of the females supported the view of the males by considering sports as the best stress-buster. One of the girls mentioned that since she has been growing up, she requires helping her mother to clean the house. This is the time when she can concentrate on what she is asked to do rather than the worries that put her in stress.

The next segment discussed about the general discussion about the activities that can leave them into stress. Most of the respondents mentioned about their exams and the school assignments. They sometimes face too much stress when they need to attend three exams in a day. The stress may cover up the thought of completing their studies or syllabus. On the other hand, the students are much involved with the friends, families, and other social activities. In such cases, they feel much stressed when they require coping with all such situations. The discussion continued depending on this subject topic of interaction. The discussion was much effective since it provides the idea about the different patterns of handling the stress. The students can interact, support or oppose the view presented by the other members. Hence, it can be considered as an influential process of group discussion.

Type of Group

Reviewing the discussion and the interactive session in this group, it can be inferred that the subject topic is mainly focused in the beginning of the life. The discussion was associated with the responses of students who are at their initial stages of life. It is true that people face the stress with their studies and social life when they are at their initial stage of life (Merriam & MacKeracher, 2013). When grows us eventually, the stress level increases accordingly. Hence, it is important to understand the initial techniques of dealing with stress. The practices undertaken at this initial stage would be helpful enough for the further stages of life. Going forward, it will prepare the students to face every situation that can lead them towards stress.

According to Trotzer (2013), the group work theory symbolizes the participations of different people for the same motif. In this process, people share their visions, ideas, and knowledge to discuss and work on a similar purpose. Therefore, it is the most effective practice to discuss the similar subject topic that can create the significant impact on the participants’ minds. If concentrated on this particular group interactive session, it is noted that the people are also sharing their experiences and regular practices to deal with stress. While people are sharing their ideas to deal with any certain situation, it leaves the impact on others’ minds (Merriam & MacKeracher, 2013). The other participants in a group discussion think about the similar idea and can present their views as well. Once the better idea will be judged and will be appreciated by others, it would create an effective group discussion.

This particular group discussion is based on the subject of stress. It evaluates the idea about the capacity of the people to deal with different stressful scenario. One of the students, Stephanie, was much calm and quiet in this process. She only answered the question that is asked to her. On the contrary, another member, Jolene, tried to present her views quite frequently. The reason might be Stephanie is not so much communicative or interactive. Comparatively, Jolene is a junior and likes to express her concerns. The host of this group discussion maintained the participative leadership style where she let the other members share their views about the subject topic. The participative leadership process is gathering the shared views and ideas of the other participants in a group (Infed.org, 2012). This participative leadership is quite impressive for the associated members in a discussion, as they generate the sense of value through the sharing beliefs and ideas (Malekoff, 2015). Therefore, this leadership style is justified enough for completing this group discussion.

Description of Group

In concentrating on the techniques and strategies of group work theory, it can be mentioned that the use of the knowledge and skills is necessary in a group discussion (Sue & Sue, 2012). Especially, sharing the views derived from the personal experience. Therefore, it is quite necessary to judge them and then start the discussion on the particular subject matter. In this group discussion, it is also noted that people are sharing their ideas about dealing with stressful situations. The leader has used the participative techniques by making eye-contact, communicating with the individuals, making the justified gestures, and asking about different perceptions regarding any particular discussion. In fact, the host cleared that she will cut off the long discussion with a particular fellow since she requires giving chance to other members in the group. Such techniques are quite fruitful for the participants to make them feel more engaged and valuable.

The group speaks about the different scenario that the students usually face when they are in stress. The interactive session is performed by gathering the views and ideas from the students associated in this group discussion. At the initial stage, it was recognised that everyone has a purpose of discussing about this particular topic on stress. Therefore, it was required knowing the different situations that the other people may consider as much stressful. While sharing the methods of removing such stress by engaging different activities, it became the topic of judging and revealing the different way to deal with it. It is thus much effective group discussion. However, sometimes many people do not feel much comfortable to share their opinions or experience with others. In such exception cases, the individual communications can also be undertaken.

References

Cohen, E. G., & Lotan, R. A. (2014). Designing Groupwork: Strategies for the Heterogeneous Classroom Third Edition. Teachers College Press.

Corey, G. (2015). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Nelson Education.

Galegher, J., Kraut, R. E., & Egido, C. (2014). Intellectual teamwork: Social and technological foundations of cooperative work. Psychology Press.

Infed.org, 2012. What is group work?. [online] infed.org. Available at: <https://infed.org/mobi/group-work/> [Accessed 22 Oct. 2016].

Lyndon, R. C., & Schupp, P. E. (2015). Combinatorial group theory. Springer.

Malekoff, A. (2015). Group work with adolescents: Principles and practice. Guilford Publications.

Merriam, S., & MacKeracher, D. (2013). The new update on adult learning theory. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education. Instructor.

Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2012). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice. John Wiley & Sons.

Trotzer, J. P. (2013). The counselor and the group: Integrating theory, training, and practice. Routledge.

Youtube.com, 2016. Group Therapy Video 1 Part 1. [online] YouTube. Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez87Sl1QpWs> [Accessed 22 Oct. 2016].