Groups Versus One on One

Although I have done and still do private counseling for careers, I believe that working with groups of people is more effective then one on one.  There is magic in a group that helps motivate, even the most difficult clients.  I am often surprised that there are so many agencies that complain that there is too few staff and yet do not use groups.  Groups are more efficient and cost effective then one on one.  Although one on one does have its place.  Most of us will only see at very best a client once a week for say an hour.  I do not believe that you can make much of an impact on a person’s life in just one hour but with a group many more people can be influenced by just one person for maybe up to 40 hours in one week.  Below are ten points that I believe need to be present when running a group.  My question this week is what kinds of issues do you present in groups and what are your successes?  What activities have you used that are successful?

Ten Qualities of a Group (but not all):

1. Name of the program should be inviting.  I am not sure that Job Club is exciting but Creating Your Future might be more inviting.
2. Benefits of the program should be given before clients come into the program.  A job is not a benefit but having more money is a benefit.
3. Participants should be called the day before to remind them of the workshop and this should be done with enthusiasm.  “We are really looking forward you coming tomorrow we have a great day planned for you.”
4. The Classroom should be inviting.
5. Class should always start and end on time.
6. Someone or a few staff should be present to welcome the class as they come into the room.
7. The class should start with a bang.  Maybe a short moving or funny video or even some exercise.  A great video is “The Fish Story” about Pike’s Market in Seattle .  First impressions are lasting so start with something fun.  Avoid monotone rules and regulations, they can be told later.
8. Class material should deal with how successful the program has been.  Either an actual person testifying or a video of a former client or clients who have gone through the program or a few case studies.  This produces hope for the participants.
9. There should be segments on how to deal with rejection. 
10. There should be fun activities that make people want to comeback.

What kinds of issues do you present in groups and what are your successes?  What activities have been successful?

RESPONSES:

Your piece on group work is very significant, I work for Public Assistance but I also have a small practice apart from Public Assistance, doing therapeutic groups for the Anchorage Wellness Court . This is a court for repeat  DUI offenders. We have developed it using the "Drug Court Model" initially begun in Florida by Janet Reno and Judge Stanley M. Goldstein in Dade County June of 1989.

In our Wellness Court offenders are mandated to take Naltrexone, go to state approved treatment, attend A.A. meetings, appear in court periodically, attend the Nalgroup (my group) weekly and find work. This is a voluntary program that folks choose in lieu of jail.  

Here is my manual that explains our program.

Further:  I believe the advantages of groups are their cost effectiveness which you have alluded to. We don't just work with one person for one hour we can work with 12.

We also find that their is tremendous power in the networking that comes from group interaction. Participants can be of great support to each other.... the truth is words from a seasoned (peer) veteran often mean so much more than coaching from a professional.

An alcoholic can greatly benefit from sharing their struggles with someone who has engaged in the same struggle and been successful.

In the "work" arena it means so much more to hear from a successful participant who has changed their life through work.

It is imperative for our Wellness Court participants to show up on time,  often this is an issue that folks have struggled with and if they can begin to change that behavior for our mandatory group they can begin to practice promptness for other things. It really is all about behavior change.

One of the fixtures in our Wellness Court is individuals must work and pay the cost of treatment to stay in our program. It is somewhat astonishing for me to see how quickly people go to work when faced with the incarceration alternative. Case workers do not have such a concrete response. At the Nalgroup I choose weekly topics that are related to our program. Example topics are listed in the included manual.

We have seen many graduate from our program in our 5 years of existence. 3 of those individuals had 9 DUI convictions. Many have become pioneering spokesman for our program continuing to work full time and support families.

I hope you will read the manual and discover that their are many things about the Nalgroup that can be adapted to the work environment.

The Nalgroup has been recognized in the Duke Law Review 6/2002, and the Spring 2004 addition of the National Center for State Court's "Problem Solving Reporter.

Mike

These are some of the group topics:  Alternative Learning for Teens, Finding Job Leads, Making Decisions, Conflict Resolution, Working Assessment, Life Long Learning, Self Esteem, Striving to be Assertive, Working Teens’ Safety on the Job, Job Retention Skills, Nutrition on a Budget, It Starts with Your Resume.

Finding Job Leads is a “hands on “group to increase skills at using the job center, making phone calls to ask employers if they have positions available and group discussion. In Conflict Resolution we use role playing, and it is fun.  Working Assessment is just that—an assessment to teach them the work skills and habits they already have instilled in them and what’s important to them in a job/career.   At times we cook a meal and take our Youths through the entire process of planning nutritiously, shopping economically, cooking wisely and the enjoyment of eating with friends.

Have a great week.

Bonnie

Thank you for the great tips on facilitating a group.  I have a question and a comment.  The question is about the video, The Fish Story that you referred to.  Please tell us about it and where we could see/get it.

The comment is something that I do at workshops that I facilitate in a local jail for female inmates.  I have an ice breaker which is a partner interview.  The participants pair up to interview each other using a set of questions, such as what is your favorite food, music, movies, hobbies, stores etc..  When everyone is finished with the interview, they take turns introducing their interviewee and sharing the answers to the interview questions.  Sometimes, I have them guess the way the interviewee would answer the questions, instead of interviewing them.  Always if there is an odd number of people, I have the group guess the answers for that  person which I write on the board.  When we have guessed the answers, the person in questions tells us which answers were right. Sometimes, I am the one who the group is guessing the interview questions.  We have a lot of fun with this exercise and it helps build the trust that I need to establish with these women so that the workshop can be the most productive for them.

Betsy in California

Just as a confirmation of this theory......anyone who has every bought a home exercise video will attest to the fact that working out in a group at the local gym is much more motivating than working out at home with a video.

There is something about a "group effort" that cannot be duplicated "one on one" or alone.

Affinity groups are far more effective....that is part of the human condition to be a social animal.

That is why as a society, we want to be married, have a family and live happily ever after.

No one ever says "just let me be alone so I can be happy" ...........

Ruth S.

Hi!  Thanks for your thoughts!  I have been promoting the use of groups to our staff  (much reduced due to cutbacks) at our worksource.  We have used groups for many of our activities but when it comes to counseling, sometimes it’s hard to get buy in.  Your information will be useful for me to use as I promote the “group idea”.  Myrna

I think these are very good ideas and I will share them with the management team.

Some of these things have already been implemented, but the Workfirst Team is always willing to accept ideas that can improve their work.

Thank you.  It is very interesting to read your newsletter.  MA

This is the first letter I have attempted on this computer so if it looks a bit different I do plan on getting better at it.

    In response to your class about group verses one on one, I worked for a mental health facility called Bowen Center where we helped people reenter the community. Some of the more difficult cases needed some one on one before we put them into group. When they did go into group they just progressed at an unbelievable rate.

    I also have had some experience with weight loss programs, which used group therapy.

    You go in thinking you are the only one with a certain problem which is very lonely and then find out you are not alone and hear how others have dealt with the problem. Even though I tell a client I have been there others in the group are there now.

    I now work Transitional Housing with people that lack education, low esteem, no money and a house full of children. Again the last thing they want to hear is that I once was there and fat to boot. They will relate to others in the same position when I throw out a well what are we going to do? Then we get into what is out there that we can do and what kind of help we can offer. The group can be much more harsh with each other than I could ever dream of being. Yes group works.

Mary Jane