Facilitation (~1 page, 8 points) This section is for self-reflection from the entire group. One member can summarize the thoughts of all the group members, but all members of the group need to have contributed to these answers.
Here is the group thought:
How do the members of your in-class group perceive their Role(s) as a group facilitator? Why is this the case? Your role should also be based on what you have learned from the literature, so this still needs to be cited. (4 points)
In my role as a group facilitator, I see myself as providing support, guidance, and above all, empowerment. This happens because in the field of social work, we have determined that empowerment is when individuals are able to enhance their personal, interpersonal, or political power to make positive changes in their lives (Zastrow et al., 2019). I believe it is my responsibility as a facilitator to provide a safe and respectful environment for all group members. Creating a space where members feel comfortable expressing themselves is a priority for me. I understand that clear boundaries, trust building, and open communication among participants are essential to reach this goal.
This group is meant to provide a safe space for older adults to discuss their challenges with social isolation and build a sense of social connection among its members. As such, the leader of this group is intended to act as a facilitator- providing support. A support group fits this description best as the leaders of support groups are not intended to be directive or act as educators. This is contrary to other kinds of groups, such as psychoeducational or therapeutic groups (Malhotra & Baker, 2022).
The way in which facilitators behave is an essential piece of the overall dynamics and effectiveness of a support group. This is applicable to all group types regardless of their nature and purpose (Beck, 2014). As facilitators, we are responsible for providing equal treatment to all participants, directing and redirecting discussion points, and maintaining leadership while allowing participants to form bonds and spontaneous interactions. Further, the facilitator’s role involves identifying the group’s weaknesses and strengths. The facilitator acts as a neutral guide who designs stages and goals for the group and evaluates whether the group is prepared to move to a different stage (Berman-Rossi, 1993). Therefore, as a facilitator, my role is to maintain positive leadership to secure effectiveness and community building, which is vital to individuals suffering from isolation in the later stages of their lives
Please write in a thought from Berman-Rossi, T. (1993). The tasks and skills of the social worker across stages of group development. Social Work with Groups, 16(1-2), 69-81. and then summarize that paragraph with the cited notes given.
If you were one of the facilitators for this group, what Skill(s) would you want to develop as a group leader? What do you think some of the challenges might be for you if you ran this group? This section does not require citation of the literature, it is purely self-reflection from all members of the group. (4 points)
(Write on Empathy & active listening, summarizing group members’ thoughts, validation, etc..)