2. Objectives:
To define the purpose of a support group.
To list the different phases of group interactions.
To describe different personality types in group
members.
To identify different problems that might occur in a
group setting.
To discuss different methods for group cohesion.
3. What is a support group?
A group of individuals, all sharing
a certain problem or concern, who
meet on a regular basis to
exchange mutual support and
discuss how they are dealing with
their problems.
It is the affective sharing of one’s
inner world and then the
acceptance by others that is of
paramount importance.
4. What can a support group offer?
Emotional support
Decrease in isolation
Practical advice
Friendship
Hope
Problem solve
Licensure information
Sense of belonging
Identity
Self esteem
Stress reduction
Checks and balances
Expand awareness
Networking
5. Stages of Group Development
1. Forming
2. Storming
3. Norming
4. Performing
5. Adjourning
***All stages of group development are
necessary, and inevitable in order for members to
cohesively grow***
6. The Forming Stage
In this stage, the group comes together and
get to initially know one another and form as
a group.
The group learns about the opportunities and
challenges that can be gained.
Goals are agreed upon and standards are
set.
7. The Forming Stage -
Characteristics
Good behavior
Eagerness
Anxiety
Dependence
8. The Storming Stage
In this stage, the group addresses issues
such as what problems they want to focus
on, how they will function independently and
together.
Group members will begin to open up and
confront each other’s ideas and
perspectives.
9. The Storming Stage - Characteristics
Confrontation
Acting out
Avoidance
Immaturity
Fear
Conflict
10. The Storming Stage – Problems
Location of meetings
Attendance drops
Meeting topics
New members
Personality types
Silent member
Monopolizer
Boring member
Help rejecter
Harmful member
11. The Storming Stage – Problems
Location of meetings
People complain that
meeting locations are too far
to drive to monthly.
Solutions:
Have the group vote on a
mutually acceptable place
for the majority of the group.
Different members host the
meeting at their place.
12. The Storming Stage – Problems
Attendance drops
Tardiness and poor attendance is a
sign of resistance to opening up to the
group. It’s also bad for group moral
because it can become contagious.
Solutions:
Try to search out the source of the
resistance (individual or the entire
group) and address it.
Gain pressure from the group.
13. The Storming Stage – Problems
Meeting topics
Creating a topic monthly can be
challenging and should NOT be the
sole responsibility of the coordinator.
Solutions:
Have the group members rotate on
who will provide the topic that month.
Pick topics from the Big Book, the
Steps, and tools from treatment
centers.
14. The Storming Stage – Problems
New members
Resistant new members
can negatively affect the
group.
Solutions:
Make an effort to reach
out to new members.
Allow new members
time to integrate, but, if
the group becomes
affected, have the
group address their
behavior.
15. The Storming Stage – Problems
The “Silent Member”
This member generally sits in group
and doesn’t participate in meetings.
Solutions:
Checking in with each member at the
start of the meeting can alleviate
shyness.
Encourage other members to share
their perceptions of the silent patient.
16. The Storming Stage – Problems
The “Monopolist”
This member tends to be the center
of attention, chatters incessantly,
and rushes to fill the silence.
Solutions:
Ask the group why they allow
one member to carry the entire
meeting.
Work with the monopolistic
member to identify when they’re
monopolizing the conversation.
17. The Storming Stage – Problems
The “Boring Member”
This member tends to inhibited, socially
awkward, predictable, and never has
anything to say.
Solutions:
Ask the group What makes the person
boring and how can I find the exciting
person hiding within.
Attempt to identify their creative and
active side.
18. The Storming Stage – Problems
The “Help-Rejecter”
This member Implicitly or explicitly
requests help from group (presents
complaint or problems), but rejects all
suggestions the group makes.
Solutions:
Stop giving advice.
Express that you “not only
understand, but you share the
feelings of hopelessness.”
19. The Storming Stage – Problems
The “Harmful Member”
This member disregards groups norms and
is disruptive at meetings. This person may
show up to meetings impaired, breaks
confidentiality, or is hostile to group
members.
Solutions:
Let PRN staff know of this disruption.
Privately, this person must be asked to
not attend the group in the future.
20. The Norming Stage
o In this stage, members are now resolving
differences and clarifying the purpose of the
group.
o Members have learned more about each
other and feel less threatened.
o Rules have been established and trust in the
group has occurred.
21. The Norming Stage -
Characteristics
o Cohesion
o Problem-solving
o Responsibility
o Mutual respect
o Trust
22. The Performing Stage
In this stage, members are able to support
each other as a solid unit without
inappropriate conflict.
Individual members have become self-
assuring, and the need for group approval is
past.
The main task of the group becomes genuine
problem-solving, leading toward optimal
solutions, and optimum group development.
23. The Performing Stage - Characteristics
Teamwork
Interdependence
Self-assurance
Unity
Loyalty
Group
assessment
24. The Adjourning Stage
In this stage, members may “graduate” the
program or choose to leave for other
reasons.
Group members who graduate from the
program are always welcome to continue to
attend regional meetings.
25. The Adjourning Stage - Characteristics
Happiness
Sense of loss
Recognition
Apprehension
26. What group stage are you in?
Determine what stage your group is in.
Discuss the different challenges you’ve
confronted in your group, and how they were
resolved.
27. Objectives:
To define the purpose of a support group.
To list the different phases of group interactions.
To describe different personality types in group
members.
To identify different problems that might occur in a
group setting.
To discuss different methods for group cohesion.