To be an Effective Member in a Group
By: Ariyanto Yanwar, M.Psych., Psychologist Group counseling is an interpersonal process where members explore themselves in relationship to others in an attempt to modify their attitudes and behaviors. Group meetings do not always have to be therapeutic but sometimes it is a good idea to make sure that if the group indeed is entering a therapeutic situations such as mutual sharing or heart-to-heart sessions or even group counseling, there will be things that can be done to ensure the effectiveness group settings. According to Pollack and Slan (1995) a number of questions should be asked to group participants at the beginning of the meeting in order to set the atmosphere for a safe group sharing session or group counseling. 1. What kind of help do they need and want? Are they favorably disposed towards group discussion or do they prefer to discuss those problems individually? 2. Can they talk in the presence of others? ...