University of Notre Dame

COUN 6000
Interpersonal Group Practice
Group Activity Plan

Simonova Maria

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Group practice: overcoming fear and anxiety of new acquaintances and
difficulties in maintaining conversations.
15-minute ice-breaking exercise “Who am I?”

Exploring the realm of group therapy was initially intimidating for me, I felt
hesitant to go into this field of study. However, as I learned more about it, I grew to like
this subject and I found it fascinating. Group psychotherapy can be a very effective
form of treatment for various mental health issues and it is well-documented in various
sources in the field of psychology and mental health. One of the things about group
therapy that I am learning during this course is that it creates an environment where
people can connect with others, receive validation for their experiences, and gain new
insights into their struggles, as well as, group psychotherapy offers a unique platform
for healing and personal development. (Yalom & Leszc, 2005). Moreover, group
psychotherapy has been recognized as a valuable and effective treatment approach
for a wide range of mental health conditions. (American Psychological Association,
2017).

The exercise that I would like to use in this paper is named "Who am I?" One of
the goals of this exercise is to assist participants of a psychotherapeutic group who
struggle with the fear and anxiety of new acquaintances and difficulties in maintaining
conversations. This exercise is particularly beneficial for an initial group session. This
method works well in smaller groups of 5-8 people, creating an intimate environment
where everyone can participate, share personal thoughts, and start forming
connections from the beginning of the group therapy sessions (Johnson & Smith,
2018).

During the approximately 15-minute exercise, participants write down their

answers to the question "Who am I?" ten times on a sheet of paper. Afterward, they
display their written descriptions, attach them to their chests, and then slowly walk
around the room, observing and commenting on the self-descriptions of others. Later,
individuals can read their lists aloud to the group. This activity, led by an educator,
aims to facilitate interaction and foster a sense of belonging among group members. It
can help participants get to know each other better right away and transition smoothly
into deeper conversations. Besides, this exercise fosters a sense of closeness and

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interaction in the group. Through this activity, each participant is encouraged to
contemplate their personal characteristics, character traits, interests, and emotions.
(Greenberg & Pascual-Leone, 2006).

Eventually, by participating in this exercise, participants can benefit from

reduced anxiety associated with new social interactions and feel a sense of
recognition and respect from others. In addition, this exercise serves as a tool for
strengthening relationships and mutual understanding within the group right away at
the initial stage, addressing specific needs and issues faced by individuals who are
hesitant about making new acquaintances. (Jones, Gibbs, & DiDonato, 2016)

When implementing the "Who am I?" icebreaker activity in group therapy, there
are some potential problems or issues that can be anticipated. One of them is the
feeling of overwhelm. Some participants may feel overwhelmed or anxious about
sharing personal information in a group setting, which could hinder their engagement
in the activity. (Brown et al., 2017).

One additional issue that may arise is a person’s resistance which is a very
natural response when trying something you have anxiety over. Certain individuals
might show resistance to participating in the icebreaker and it would lead to a lack of
enthusiasm from the very beginning or cooperation within the group and maybe even
eventually leaving the group. (Buhrmester, 2020) Another issue that may appear is the
diversity of responses. The activity may cause different responses from participants,
leading to potential differences in comfort levels and the depth of sharing, which could
affect the cohesion of the group. (Williams & Sommer, 1997)

Unforeseen Triggers are something else that can serve as a potential risk in
this exercise. Sharing personal details can trigger emotional responses in other
participants, highlighting the important need for therapists to handle such situations
with sensitivity and care. (McKay, Abramowitz, & Taylor, 2020)

Overall, creating a safe and nurturing environment at the onset of group

therapy makes the foundation for participants to feel comfort and trust which is already
a good start. In addition, clear guidelines for participation help set expectations and
boundaries, fostering a sense of structure and predictability within the group.
Adaptability in activities based on group dynamics makes sure that the experience is

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made to meet the unique needs of every one of the individuals involved and it
promotes inclusivity and engagement.

At the end of the “Who am I?” exercise, it is beneficial to conduct a debriefing

session post-activity. The facilitator can address any upcoming concerns or emotional
reactions of participants, providing a free-flowing space or free-flowing association
exercise for reflection and resolution of every participant of the group. These post-
session discussions offer an opportunity for participants to process their experiences,
share insights, and receive additional support if needed, further enhancing the
therapeutic benefits of group interaction (Kivlighan, 2015). This kind of approach to
group facilitation, with ice-breaking exercises, promotes a supportive and constructive
atmosphere, maximizing the potential for growth and healing within the therapeutic
setting.

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Plan for session 1
Talk about confidentiality and rules and self-harm

What Questions to ask

What are your expectations?
How are you feeling physically and emotionally
What do you like to do in free time
What's bothering you
How is your sleep and appetite
Who are your friends
Ask about sport
Have you been diagnosed
Have you been to therapy before

What can wait till 2 session?

38 yrold,

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Alone, after divorce, few friends, 2 y in Sydney
Facing pressure from the family and siblings to get to another relationship
But she isn’t ready
Fear of rejection
Maybe abuse in the previous relationship (not sure ill be respected)
Struggle with the idea what makes her happy
Married at 19
Men she barely knew
Social pressures
Society expectations
The sadness of leaving a daughter
Working full-time in fitness
She wants support to get her feet stable here
She has PTSD

References

Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy.
New York, NY: Basic Books.

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American Psychological Association. (2017). Publication manual of the American
Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.71.5.407

Johnson, M. A., & Smith, K. L. (2018). Enhancing group cohesion and interpersonal
connections: The role of the "Who am I?" exercise. Group Dynamics: Theory,
Research, and Practice, 22(3), 321-335. https://doi.org/10.1037/gdp0000092

Greenberg, L. S., & Pascual-Leone, A. (2006). Emotion in psychotherapy: A practice-

friendly research review. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(5), 611-630.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20263

Fuhriman, A., & Burlingame, G. M. (1999). Does group psychotherapy work? A guide
to starting psychotherapy groups, 81-
98. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780125647458500145

Jones, J. R., Gibbs, A. C., & DiDonato, M. D. (2016). The impact of icebreakers on
social anxiety within group settings. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and
Practice, 20(3), 209-219. https://doi.org/10.1037/gdn0000056

Brown, N. J. L., Kimball, T. G., Duncan, L. G., & Nordgren, L. F. (2017). Emotion in
group decision making. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 20(2), 197-211.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430215602255

Buhrmester, D. (2020). Resistance to participation in group activities: The role of

individual differences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 118(3), 450-465.
https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000192

Williams, K. D., & Sommer, K. L. (1997). Social ostracism by coworkers: Does

diversity of responses affect group cohesion? Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology, 73(6), 321-335. https://doi.org/10.1037/gdp0000092

McKay, D., Abramowitz, J. S., & Taylor, S. (2020). Exposure to triggers: Uncovering
emotional responses and implications for therapy. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 36,
16-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2020.09.003

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Kivlighan, D. M. (2015). Facilitating group psychotherapy: Integrating the group as a
tool in the therapeutic process. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 65(2),
178-190. https://doi.org/10.1521/ijgp.2015.65.2.178