GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY GUIDELINES/INFORMED CONSENT
MERCER UNIVERSITY COUN 605 Group Counseling
WELCOME! I hope that group is an exciting and rewarding experience for you. The work is challenging, supportive, nourishing, intimate and confrontive. My task as your group facilitator is to create a specific type of sacred environment in which you can address your conflicts, acknowledge your "strengths/weaknesses," embrace your "failures"/"successes", and celebrate a growing understanding of yourself and others. These guidelines will give you an introduction to the group process. No two groups are alike, but in general, you will find the following suggestions, observations, and guidelines helpful. Your responsibilities are also outlined here.
Group is a specialized area in counseling and psychotherapy. In group therapy one experiences the world in microcosm. This cannot be accomplished in individual counseling to the same degree. Group therapy is a specific expertise and competency.
As you undertake a short term psychotherapy group as part of graduate counseling training, I will do everything I can to facilitate: 1) your understanding of group process (this is experienced indirectly, not didactically), and, more importantly, 2) provide an opportunity for you to do some personal work as it pertains to your counseling vocation. Specifically, you are encouraged to use the group to look at how you are perceived by others, what fears and anxieties you may have about yourself and this work. In my experience, your own psychotherapeutic work is the best teacher for becoming a counselor or psychotherapist.
I don’t know and can’t tell you what this group will be like. As this group is process oriented, we look at issues, personalities and relationships as they emerge and evolve in the group. There is no set agenda or theme. You are not here so much to learn group technique but, rather, to acquire some limited group experience of your own. We will utilize some experiential exercises from time to time (at my discretion). We (including me) show up and mindfully, heartfully engage each other and what happens. This is frightening (for me, too) – and infinitely rewarding.
If you want to gain insight and see changes in your life you must desire change. Although change is inevitable, having realistic control of your existence involves will, discipline and courage. In the group neither you nor any given situation or life issue will change unless you are willing to risk and talk. You accomplish this in group by sharing, as honestly as possible, your feelings, thoughts and intuitions about yourself and the other group members. TALK IN THE GROUP! It may be very difficult for you to speak up, but in order for the group to function and for you to find the movement in your life that you seek, you have to share. Don't wait for an opening to speak. Be courteous and assertive. If you don't speak up, you won't get much from the group.
Socializing, problem solving, and advice giving are inevitable in groups. I hope that you will work with me to curtail these activities that, more often than not, work as defenses from deeper, more meaningful work.
Strive to give appropriate feedback. Focus on your feelings and thoughts, especially the ones you have about yourself as well as the other group members. Make "I" statements more often than "We" or general statements. Speak to the person with whom you are engaged. Look at that person, not other members; don't refer to someone in the group as "he" or "she" as if they were not there. Use the other person's name when addressing him/her.
You are safe to express the most difficult emotions such as anger. In the group you can be angry; don't hurt anyone or yourself. If you think you can't contain such intense feeling, say so and the group will keep harm from occurring.
Sometimes discomfort arises in group because of what others are doing (or not doing). For example, if you think the person who is speaking is going nowhere and you're feeling bored, say so in a kind and assertive fashion. Focus on the boring behavior and don't attack the person as a "bore." This is your group and if you are unsatisfied with its direction, tell the other members what you would like to happen. Don't hesitate to ask for feedback, or ask others if they would like your feedback.
In general I am also a group member albeit, as the leader, a member with a particular role. I am not in the group to do my own personal growth work. I am there to practice the art of counseling and psychotherapy. I strive to model appropriate feedback, to reflect on where the group is, to comfort and confront. At times I will have little or nothing to say; at others I will take a more overtly active role. Occasionally I will utilize particular techniques to facilitate the group such as storytelling, silence, guided imagery, “rounds,” etc.
As important as it is to speak up in group it is equally important to be able to tolerate silence, especially if there is nothing of significance to be said. Silence “heats up” the group, pushing it deeper into the moment. One certain sign of a mature group is its ability to tolerate silence.
Take some reasonable risks in group. Look at feelings that are uncomfortable for you. Look at areas of your life on which you have not adequately reflected. People grow by stretching beyond their limited perspective of themselves and others. Try new behaviors and attitudes in the group. It is a safe place to experiment and redefine self, often in fundamental ways. Tell the group when you would like their assistance in trying something new.
The next paragraphs deal with procedural matters and your responsibilities in the group. My evaluation of your group participation is based, in part, on your understanding and fulfilling the following.
Time is an important and informative element of group. You should arrive at group 15 minutes before it begins. This time allows you to slow down, focus on your agenda for the group, and reflect on where you feel you and the group is working. Please be punctual; prioritize and make the group an important part of your life by being on time.
Group is 90 minutes long. As group leader I am responsible for time keeping chores. We begin promptly and end promptly. I will let you know when there are 5 minutes left in the group's session. Respect the time-limited nature of each session and you will more readily pursue your agenda.
I am not available immediately before or after group. Should you desire time with me I can schedule minimal office hours on Wednesday afternoons at Mercer or you may arrange time with me in my Decatur office. In general, barring an emergency situation, I prefer that you bring any concerns back to the group rather than seeing me individually. I will determine the appropriateness of any individual time on a person-by-person basis. My telephone is 404-314-8325.
Commitment to the group is for 15 consecutive, weekly sessions. We will definitely make allowances for illnesses, emergencies, etc., but you must make every effort to be on time and present each week. Doing so means the group has appropriate numbers to function, that we gain your regular input, and that you will obtain your academic credit. IF YOU MISS MORE THAN 2 GROUPS YOU WILL BE GIVEN AN “UNSATISFACTORY” FOR YOUR GROUP LAB.
Group members are asked to observe the confidentiality of each member by not discussing ANYTHING shared in the group outside of our regular group meetings. This is especially important as I recognize that some of you have social relationships and friendships with your peers.
A "Recommended Reading List" is available from me, as is a course bibliography from Dr. Diane Clark, PhD, course professor. I encourage you to augment your participation and personal growth in general by developing an on-going reading program. Journaling, especially immediately after the group, is valuable and a course requirement.
I have been providing group psychotherapy since my internship in 1973-1974. At that time I was supervised in providing weekly group psychotherapy in an inpatient psychiatric facility. Since that time I have provided group psychotherapy in private practice settings. Currently, I facilitate three groups. One is a postgraduate supervision group. The second is a men’s psychotherapy group entering its eighth year. Finally, I lead a weekly contemplative group. In the past, I have facilitated coed group psychotherapy, retreat intensives and participated in a men’s peer support group for over 18 years.
My theoretical orientation is eclectic. I primarily utilize psychodynamic, archetypal, mythopoetics and transpersonal modalities. You may learn more about me and view my CV at my website: www.philfosterlpc.com.
I look forward to creating and holding this space with you, learning from you, and sharing in your journey as a person and a counselor.
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Phil Foster, MDiv, LPC.
I have read and understand this informed consent. I have had the opportunity to ask questions.
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Student Signature