GROUPS
What theory is used in informing groupwork practice?
Occupational competence
→ the degree to which one sustains a pattern of occupational participation
that reflects identity. Competence has to do with putting your identity into
action. It includes
o fulfilling the expectations of one’s roles and one’s own values and
standards of performance;
o maintaining a routine that allows one to discharge responsibilities;
o participating in a range of occupations that provide a sense of ability,
control, satisfaction and fulfilment; and
o pursuing one’s values and taking action to achieve desired life outcomes
Why do we do occupational therapy in groups?
What are the benefits of occupational therapy in group setting?
Cost effective - Treating more people in the time you have available
Opportunities to develop communication and interaction skills
People enjoy being in a group and are often more motivated to attend sessions
What are Yalom’s Therapeutic Factors?
Represent a highly complex set of group interactions explaining why group
therapy works
What is Interpersonal learning?
o Groups allow for reciprocal interaction and communication.
o Group members learn how they are viewed by others, can reflect upon
how this compares with their own self concept, and can become aware of
negative social behaviors or habits that could be undermining their real-
life relationships.
o Groups also allow secondary interpersonal learning through output
Members learn to better express their thoughts and feelings,
practice resolving differences, and build skills in getting along
better with others
What is Catharsis?
o Emotional expression of previously charged emotional issues /
experiences
o Emotional unburdening is therapeutic when the therapist facilitates
discussion about participants’ reactions to the event, and helps members
interpret the emotional discharge, in a way that leads to positive change.
What is Self-understanding?
o Groups provide opportunities for gaining insight about how the past and
present are connected, accepting previously shameful thoughts or
behaviours, and discovering new strengths and abilities.
What are Existential factors?
o Factors relating to the human condition, such as acceptance of pain and
death as realities of life and realizing that life is not always fair. Also
includes accepting responsibility for life choices, rather than blaming
others
, What is Universality?
o Working in a group of people who have had similar experiences allows
realising you are not alone, which provides a huge sense of relief
What is Instillation of hope?
o Coming into the group with high expectations that you will get the help or
treatment you need
What is Altruism?
o Through coaching and modelling, group members learn they have a lot to
offer each other and that helping others can benefit them
o Helping others, thereby increasing your status in the group and sense of
well-being
What Family re-enactment / corrective emotional experiences
o Clients who have varying degrees of problematic family backgrounds
often express their distortions through the roles they choose to play in the
group, as well as their response to the group leader.
o With guidance from the leader, members have the opportunity to break
free from rigid family role scripts in which they have “unknowing been long
locked”
What is Imparting information / guidance?
o Groups provide platforms for educating members around certain issues
o Educational information that is taught by the therapist
o Information sharing between group participants is the most useful
What is Imitative behaviours / identification?
o When the group members observe the behaviour of others that leads to
positive reactions, they modeling the successful social behaviors of other
group members
o May occur naturally, or be facilitated by the therapist through activities
such as role play
What is Group cohesiveness?
o The sum total of complex interactions and interrelationships that engage
and connect therapist and members with one another, forming a positive
bond.
o The result of all the factors that contribute to keeping members in the
group
o When group cohesiveness is good, the advantages of being in the group
outweigh the disadvantages
o This is a pre-requisite for other therapeutic factors to function optimally
o Assessing group cohesion
Attendance and punctuality
Level of trust and support
Extent to which members are accepted
Motivation to belong to the group
Members like each other
o Building group cohesion
Promote a cooperative relationship between members – people
who are working towards similar goals are more likely to form a
cohesive group
Promote the emotive element of the group by promoting a
supportive climate
Set norms which encourage members to express their individuality
What theory is used in informing groupwork practice?
Occupational competence
→ the degree to which one sustains a pattern of occupational participation
that reflects identity. Competence has to do with putting your identity into
action. It includes
o fulfilling the expectations of one’s roles and one’s own values and
standards of performance;
o maintaining a routine that allows one to discharge responsibilities;
o participating in a range of occupations that provide a sense of ability,
control, satisfaction and fulfilment; and
o pursuing one’s values and taking action to achieve desired life outcomes
Why do we do occupational therapy in groups?
What are the benefits of occupational therapy in group setting?
Cost effective - Treating more people in the time you have available
Opportunities to develop communication and interaction skills
People enjoy being in a group and are often more motivated to attend sessions
What are Yalom’s Therapeutic Factors?
Represent a highly complex set of group interactions explaining why group
therapy works
What is Interpersonal learning?
o Groups allow for reciprocal interaction and communication.
o Group members learn how they are viewed by others, can reflect upon
how this compares with their own self concept, and can become aware of
negative social behaviors or habits that could be undermining their real-
life relationships.
o Groups also allow secondary interpersonal learning through output
Members learn to better express their thoughts and feelings,
practice resolving differences, and build skills in getting along
better with others
What is Catharsis?
o Emotional expression of previously charged emotional issues /
experiences
o Emotional unburdening is therapeutic when the therapist facilitates
discussion about participants’ reactions to the event, and helps members
interpret the emotional discharge, in a way that leads to positive change.
What is Self-understanding?
o Groups provide opportunities for gaining insight about how the past and
present are connected, accepting previously shameful thoughts or
behaviours, and discovering new strengths and abilities.
What are Existential factors?
o Factors relating to the human condition, such as acceptance of pain and
death as realities of life and realizing that life is not always fair. Also
includes accepting responsibility for life choices, rather than blaming
others
, What is Universality?
o Working in a group of people who have had similar experiences allows
realising you are not alone, which provides a huge sense of relief
What is Instillation of hope?
o Coming into the group with high expectations that you will get the help or
treatment you need
What is Altruism?
o Through coaching and modelling, group members learn they have a lot to
offer each other and that helping others can benefit them
o Helping others, thereby increasing your status in the group and sense of
well-being
What Family re-enactment / corrective emotional experiences
o Clients who have varying degrees of problematic family backgrounds
often express their distortions through the roles they choose to play in the
group, as well as their response to the group leader.
o With guidance from the leader, members have the opportunity to break
free from rigid family role scripts in which they have “unknowing been long
locked”
What is Imparting information / guidance?
o Groups provide platforms for educating members around certain issues
o Educational information that is taught by the therapist
o Information sharing between group participants is the most useful
What is Imitative behaviours / identification?
o When the group members observe the behaviour of others that leads to
positive reactions, they modeling the successful social behaviors of other
group members
o May occur naturally, or be facilitated by the therapist through activities
such as role play
What is Group cohesiveness?
o The sum total of complex interactions and interrelationships that engage
and connect therapist and members with one another, forming a positive
bond.
o The result of all the factors that contribute to keeping members in the
group
o When group cohesiveness is good, the advantages of being in the group
outweigh the disadvantages
o This is a pre-requisite for other therapeutic factors to function optimally
o Assessing group cohesion
Attendance and punctuality
Level of trust and support
Extent to which members are accepted
Motivation to belong to the group
Members like each other
o Building group cohesion
Promote a cooperative relationship between members – people
who are working towards similar goals are more likely to form a
cohesive group
Promote the emotive element of the group by promoting a
supportive climate
Set norms which encourage members to express their individuality
