Support Group Facilitation and Reflection
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Liberty University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
325
Subject
Communications
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
7
Uploaded by ProfessorAtomHornet40
1
Support Group Facilitation and Reflection
Introduction
The support group facilitation exercise is one of the essential tasks in this course. Aspiring social workers can practice group facilitation and dynamics in a secure environment with this exercise. I concentrated on the topic of the effects of social media on self-esteem for my
support group. This paper will look at my preparation process and reflect on my experiences as a group facilitator.
Preparation
In terms of preparation, I preferred to be over-prepared rather than under-prepared. I designed an icebreaker, three open-ended conversation topics, and a bonus exercise to improve our self-esteem. I limited those activities down to exactly what would fit in the 40-minute session
as I organized the session more completely.
Group Goals
2
The general support group in which I participated had a wide range of goals and objectives. We intended to practice group facilitation, public speaking, and active listening methods from an academic standpoint. We also wanted to try to get used to being silent. Finally, we wanted to establish a non-judgmental, safe environment for people to communicate and feel empowered from an interpersonal standpoint
.
Session Goals and Objectives
For my specific support group, I wanted to foster an environment in which participants felt comfortable sharing their experiences. I wanted participants to express themselves freely, be encouraged, and leave the session feeling good about themselves
.
Exercises
I had members in my group participate in two activities. First, they took part in an icebreaker. During the icebreaker exercise, I invited attendees to share their favorite social media
apps. In addition, I guide participants through a self-esteem-building activity.
Reasons for Exercise Choices
I selected the ice breaker because I wanted to get the group started on a lighter note. I intended to provide the groundwork for participants to discuss social media and its effects on their self-esteem in depth. Furthermore, I opted to have people participate in pleasant action to enhance their self-esteem. I also felt the notion addressed that what we see on social media is not
necessarily what is true was an understandable segue into themes about the effects of social media on our self-esteem, was an understandable move. How You Intended These Exercises to Help Your Group Meet its Goals
I picked these activities to put the group at ease. I expected the icebreaker to set an alight tone. Because the impacts of social media on our self-esteem are a weighty subject to tackle, I
3
believed that by keeping the tone light, participants will feel more comfortable sharing. In addition, I hoped that the positive characteristic exercise would empower the participants and reassure them that the group was a safe and friendly environment.
Leadership Plan and Reason for Choice
I intended to use a democratic leadership style for this support group. Leaders in the democratic method aim to maximize the involvement and participation of each member. Instead of concentrating on responsibility, this method seeks to disperse it among the group (Zastrow & Hessenauer, 2019, p.76). I wanted to use a democratic approach because I wanted each group member to say how the group ran. Furthermore, this approach is common in support groups and educational contexts (Zastrow & Hessenauer, 2019, p.76), so I assumed members would feel at ease in this arrangement.
Consultation and Supervision
When settling on a topic, I sought advice. Before the commencement of any groups, my support group gathered to arrange our sessions. After a brainstorming session, the subjects were chosen by the entire group. In addition, I used the textbook to help me prepare for my session.
Self-Reflection and Evaluation
The preparation for the support group was a very different experience than the facilitating. Because the planning stage was lively and interesting, I feel my facilitation went well. I received a lot of involvement from the group, which provided an open climate for sharing.
However, I panicked as the group's focus increased because I was concerned, I would go well over my time and not finish all the areas required in the group. The middle section grew too long,
and I struggled to transition to the end. In the next portion of this paper, I will examine my group
facilitation.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
4
Explanation of How the Exercises Aid in Facilitating the Group's Achievement of its Objectives
Participants in my group seemed to appreciate each activity independently; they felt comfortable and openly engaged in each activity. The ice breaker was well-received since it allowed all attendees to share easily. I think this activity accomplished its goal of creating a light
atmosphere conducive to sharing. The concept of the positive trait activity was also well received. It gave people a chance to do something positive after having such a negative experience with social media. That, I believe, also contributed to the objective of establishing a safe and positive environment. The discussion questions were a particularly well-received exercise. Rather than academic-style inquiries, I asked more open-ended questions characteristic of a support worker. In addition, by asking personal questions, I established a good conversational dynamic.
The Groups' Reactions to the Exercises
The group liked how I connected my exercises. As a result, the dialogue could flow naturally. Participants worked hard to engage with the subject matter, and it was clear that things were heading in the right way. My reaction to the issue, I believe, was to keep the dialogue continuing. I attempted to remain calm, which aided the current sentiment of the group I was trying to lead.
Group's Responses to Your Leadership Style
I think that I was able to maintain the use of the democratic style of leadership. As a result, participants could share and take the conversation in the direction they wanted to go in. Areas of Strengths
5
I believe my group thrived for being the first group I had independently facilitated. I was able to keep the group engaged by asking open-ended questions. I also allowed every one of the participants to speak when they were ready. A firm grasp of a group structure will directly influence my work as a social worker. In addition, I was glad for the opportunity to learn in a safe environment.
Areas of Weakness
One area where I might enhance my facilitation would be a greater knowledge of my transitions. Some aspects of my group facilitation might have been more effective if I had considered my time constraints. For example, I should have limited the discussion to one open-
ended question. This would have given me more time to allow for questions and answers, a better takeaway, and my intended prayer request at the conclusion. Another area where I might have done better was in my Biblical Integration. I should have known better how to include it into the open-ended questions.
Interpersonal Skills
The usage of Microsoft teams was one thing I found challenging since it impacted my interpersonal skills. It felt it was more difficult to connect with people through a screen than it was in person. As a result, I wanted to keep my session as informal as possible to ensure that attendees felt as at ease as feasible. I introduced myself casually and tried to maintain as much open body language as possible. I practiced active listening but also allowed the dialogue to run organically wherever possible.
Transitions
I used broad transitional sentences to go from one subtopic to the next. To stay on track with my group's objectives, I tried to keep my transitions as casual as possible. I began my
6
session with a general welcome statement, followed by a discussion of group norms and an icebreaker. Following the icebreaker, I wanted to establish a comfortable atmosphere, so I began by expressing my thoughts on how social media has affected me. Following that, I invited the participants to contribute anything they felt was necessary. Following this open conversation, I asked prepared questions.
Conclusion
I finished my session by reviewing what had happened, offering biblical integration, and presenting a general takeaway. I then concluded by introducing the next group. Overall, I believe my support group went well. However, I believe there were some areas where I excelled and others where I need to improve. Nevertheless, this was a fantastic learning experience, and I am glad for the opportunity to lead my first group in a secure learning atmosphere.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
7
References
Zastrow, C., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019).
Empowerment series: Social work with groups: Comprehensive practice and self-care
. Cengage Learning.