Week 7: The Planning Stage Leading A Treatment Group

Week 7 The Planning Stageleading A Treatment Group Requires Extensive

Week 7: The Planning Stage Leading a treatment group requires extensive planning by the clinical social worker. Treatment groups are interventions that tend to focus on a particular emotional and/or behavioral issue that is having a negative impact on a person’s life. A treatment group differs from a support group or task group because it requires a professional to serve as the leader. The first step in the planning process is to become familiar with the psychosocial issues and behavioral/emotional problems that the members of the group may be experiencing. Then, the clinical social worker should use evidence-based techniques to plan the group that are appropriate for the members.

In addition, the clinical social worker must address all of the aspects that are associated with group therapy, such as, membership, the purpose and goals, and monitoring. Learning Objectives Students will: Plan a treatment group Learning Resources Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus. Required Readings Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. Chapter 6, “Planning the Group” Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (Eds.). (2013). Sessions case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. “The Petrakis Family” (pp. 20–22) Proudlock, S., & Wellman, N. (2011). Solution-focused groups: The results look promising. Counselling Psychology Review, 26(3), 45–55. Required Media Walden University. (n.d.). MSW interactive home page [Multimedia]. Retrieved from Note: The “Petrakis Family” video sessions can be viewed using this program resource. Assignment 1: Planning a Group When a client is dealing with several problems at one time, it can be difficult to determine which type of treatment group would be most beneficial. Some types of treatment groups may overlap in addressing certain problems or issues. The literature is helpful in assisting the clinical social worker in determining the type, purpose, and goals of the treatment group.

For this Assignment, review the “Petrakis Family” case history and video session. In a 3- to 4-page paper, describe a treatment group that would help Helen Petrakis in one of the following areas: (a) caregiving, (b) sandwich generation, (c) serving as a family member of an individual with addiction. Review and briefly summarize the literature about the social issue that is the focus of your group (caregiving, sandwich generation, or addictions). Write a plan that includes the following elements: Type of treatment group Purpose of the group Membership Method to recruit Composition Size Open/closed Monitoring Assignment 2: Assessing Group Process 3 A large part of being a social worker is being able to see the strengths in any situation. This characteristic can be described as having a “half full” view on life. As a clinical social worker, it is important to cultivate strength-based skills. By now, your group should have developed a plan in completing the Group Wiki Project. In your Assignment, reflect on your group’s process in establishing the group structure (effectiveness of communication), and contracting assignments as you have chosen the family intervention and developed the literature review. Describe what you view to be the strengths and weaknesses of your group. What strategies can you implement to assist the group process? Implement one of these strategies and be prepared to reflect on your experience in Week 9. Group Process Assignments should integrate course concepts related to group process. Assignments should demonstrate critical thought when applying course material to your group experience. Support ideas in your Assignment with APA citations from this week's required resources By Day 7 Submit your Assignment (2–3 pages).

Paper For Above instruction

The planning stage of leading a treatment group is a critical component of effective social work practice, requiring comprehensive preparation to ensure that the intervention meets the specific needs of the clients involved. As outlined by Toseland and Rivas (2017), meticulous planning involves understanding the psychosocial and behavioral issues relevant to the target population and selecting evidence-based techniques tailored to these issues. This process not only helps in designing appropriate interventions but also optimizes outcomes and facilitates effective group dynamics.

In the context of treatment group planning, it is essential to clarify foundational aspects such as the group’s purpose, membership criteria, recruitment methods, size, structure (open or closed), and monitoring mechanisms. For instance, if designing a group to support family members coping with addiction, the purpose might focus on providing emotional support, education, and developing coping strategies. Recruitment could be through clinical referrals, community outreach, or support networks, with membership criteria including individuals experiencing similar hardships. The group size would be manageable—typically 6 to 10 members—to facilitate meaningful interactions, with a decision whether to keep it open or closed depending on the goals (Proudlock & Wellman, 2011). Monitoring involves tracking group progress, managing conflicts, and evaluating goal attainment, which is vital for effective interventions.

Applicable literature emphasizes the importance of aligning the group’s structure with its objectives (Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2013). For example, when working with families, understanding their systemic dynamics and emotional needs enhances the effectiveness of the intervention. The case of Helen Petrakis, illustrated through the video sessions, demonstrates the importance of targeted group settings. A treatment group focused on the 'sandwich generation'—adults who care for both aging parents and their own children—might include family caregivers experiencing role overload and emotional distress. Such groups provide peer support, education on stress management, and resource navigation, which have shown promising results in changes in coping skills and emotional resilience (Walden University, n.d.).

Designing a treatment group involves pragmatic considerations as well. Size and composition influence participation and group cohesion; smaller groups foster intimacy and trust, while larger ones may offer diverse perspectives but risk superficial engagement. Open groups are suitable for ongoing support, whereas closed groups are ideal for focused, time-limited interventions. Monitoring in group therapy includes regular evaluations through feedback, session summaries, and outcome measures to assess progress. Incorporating evidence-based techniques such as solution-focused therapy, as supported by Proudlock and Wellman (2011), enhances the likelihood of positive change.

In conclusion, the planning phase of group therapy necessitates a careful balance of theoretical knowledge, empirical research, and practical considerations. Effective planning is foundational for fostering a supportive environment where members feel safe, understood, and motivated to pursue change. As social workers, employing a structured, evidence-informed approach ensures that treatment groups are tailored to meet specific social issues like caregiving burdens, generational overlaps, or addiction-related challenges. By systematically addressing each element—purpose, membership, recruitment, size, structure, and monitoring—social workers can maximize the therapeutic potential of group interventions, ultimately improving client outcomes and promoting resilience (Toseland & Rivas, 2017).

References

• Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Pearson.
• Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (Eds.). (2013). Sessions case histories. Laureate International Universities Publishing.
• Proudlock, S., & Wellman, N. (2011). Solution-focused groups: The results look promising. Counselling Psychology Review, 26(3), 45–55.
• Walden University. (n.d.). MSW interactive home page [Multimedia]. Retrieved from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library
• Corey, G. (2016). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2020). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (6th ed.). Basic Books.
• Kivlighan, D. M., & Poth, C. (2017). Developing group cohesion: Strategies and factors. Small Group Research, 48(4), 385–410.
• Corey, G., & Corey, M. S. (2016). Groups: Process and practice (10th ed.). Cengage.
• McLeod, J. (2013). An introduction to counselling. Open University Press.
• Yalom, I. D. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. Basic Books.