GROUP COUNSELING
PRESSENTED BY: JHUNISA ANN P. AGUSTIN BSED IV - E
GROUP GUIDANCE is any group activity in which the primary purpose is to assist individual in the group to solve his problems and make adjustments.
PURPOSE OF GROUP GUIDANCE: 1. to discuss problems common to the group; 2. to develop awareness that problems are also shared by others; and 3. to broaden the horizons of students with reference to occupational choice available to them.
WHY CHOOSE GROUP COUNSELING?
* Group counseling offers multiple relationships to assist an individual in growth and problem solving. in group counseling sessions, members are encouraged to discuss the issues that brought them into counseling openly and honestly. the facilitator works to create an atmosphere of trust and acceptance that encourages members to support one another.
* Unlike
the simple two-person relationship found in individual counseling, group counseling offers multiple relationships to assist the individual in growth and problem solving.
* Counseling groups exist to help individuals grow emotionally and solve personal problems. all utilize the power of the group, as well as the facilitator who leads it, in this process.
SOME OF THE TYPES OF PROBLEMS FOR GROUP GUIDANCE ARE: 1. Orientation to new school situations, school policies, new schedules, new rooms, etc. it also includes school personnel and their functions, faculty and subject they teach.
2. Strengthening study habits and attitudes for better school performance;
3. Improving social relationship as ion athletic meets, assemblies, parties, group meetings, conferences and conventions.
ADVANTAGES OF GROUP COUNSELLING
1. PROVIDING UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT: Group counseling can offer a unique environment in which to learn about and experience both self and others. we all live in groups for much of our lives and working together with others in a group can provide valuable insights into characteristic patterns of thinking and relating in a group setting.
2. EXPLORING THE ISSUES IN DEPTH: The group experience gives individuals an opportunity to explore their issues in more depth, in a setting which more closely resembles work, study, social and family groupings.
3. AVOIDING ISOLATION AND LONELINESS: One of the main principals behind group counseling is the idea that dealing with specific issues may cause isolation, and a feeling that one is alone in facing ones problems. group counseling attempts to counteract this isolation by assembling people with similar issues to enforce that difficulties are not singular to one person. additionally, knowing other people with similar troubles can be comforting to each individual, who may not have access in their own family and friends to people with the same problem.
4. HIGHLY ORGANIZED: Group counseling may be highly organized, with people doing specific activities together and then sharing the results. alternately, it may be more freeform, where people share current issues related to the groups purpose. one persons verbal contributions to a group might be discussed, validated, and provoke problem solving by other group members in a session. it might also be an entry into a discussion regarding a certain aspect of an illness or condition that is then primarily led by the therapist.
5. GROUP COUNSELING COSTS LESS : some people find the group counseling experience a better alternative than private therapy because it tends to cost less. frequently group counseling is covered by insurance, and many groups offer sliding scale fees for those without insurance.
6. HELP OTHERS AND BEING HELPED: Provides the opportunity to help others as well as being helped. 7. FEELING OF EMPOWERMENT GIVES THE FEELING OF EMPOWERMENT: It helps build confidence and self-esteem so that you may feel more in control of your life
8. IMPROVEMENT BY SENSITIVITY AND INSIGHT: Group members improve from the sensitivity and insight of the counselor.
9. PROMOTING GROWTH AND CHANGE: Group members provide different perspectives which are often helpful in promoting growth and change.
DISADVANTAGES OF GROUP COUNSELLING
1. TOO LARGE GROUPS SUFFERS: Not all group counseling efforts are completely successful .occasionally, group therapy suffers if a group is too large or small usually group counseling works best when an experienced counselor can redirect a person who is sharing too much, and allow equal time for people to share their ideas, problems or opinions.
2. MONOPOLIZING THE GROUP : It may also become problematic when one person appears to monopolize the group. people may vary in their need for therapy, and generally those who monopolize a group should not be despised but should be redirected to private counseling, where the person is the sole focus of attention. after some time in private sessions, a person may feel less need to monopolize a group counseling session.
CONCLUSION : Group counseling is indeed a very effective way to solve ones problem. it is a process through which severe problems can be tackled properly. in order to carry out effective group counseling, one should keep group members respect and dignity in mind.
