GROUP COUNSELLING

SANGILI KRISHNA
Group Counselling
● In group counselling one counsellor is involved in a relationship with a number of counselees at

the same time.

● Group counselling is usually concerned with developmental problems and situational concerns

of members.

● Members of this group are basically “normal individuals with varying degrees of concerns.

● A counsellor or therapist provides leadership.

● Group counselling can be both remedial and preventive.

Size, Composition and Duration
● The appropriate group size varies according to the type of group,

age of its members and the type of problems to be solved.

● Scheidel & Maple (1974) - Seven members are desirable.

● Bertcher & Maple (1974) - More than three but less than fifteen

members.

● Leader is to ensure that the range is large enough to create a

diversity of ideas, yet small enough to provide an opportunity for

each member to participate.

Size, Composition and Duration
● Group can be either heterogeneous or

homogeneous.

● Heterogeneous groups are composed of a diversity of

individuals of different ages, gender, culture,

socio-economic status, etc.

● Homogeneous groups can be like students of same

age or sex or students with similar problems.

Size, Composition and Duration
● Duration relates to three issues whether the group is

open or closed, the length of each session and the

number of sessions.

● The number of sessions is associated with group work

that varies according to type of group, the need of the

group members and the theoretical orientation of

group leader.
Physical Setting of Group Counselling
● Members and counsellor may be seated in such

a manner so as to facilitate interaction, enable

face to face communication and help in

maintenance 0f eye contact.

● The seating of counsellor is crucial for observing

and noting the sessions and also for suggestions,

clarifications, interpretations etc.

Types of Groups In Group Counselling
● Diverse population - children, adolescents, college-going students, elderly.

● Children - physical aggression, conductive peer relationship, personal hygiene, coping skills etc.

● Adolescent - to explore feelings, develop clarity on their self-concept, self understanding,

communication, etc.

● College students - Intellectual, personal, social growth, career related decisions, educational

plans, interpersonal relationship, self-image, self-identity.

● Elderly - Abandonment, loneliness, being unwanted, resignation, sense of being not productive,

aging , etc.
Types of Groups In Group Counselling
● Psychotherapeutic groups

● Task or work groups

● Psychoeducational groups

● Groups in multicultural context

Stages of Group Counselling
● Corey and Corey (1997) developed the following stages

1. Initial stage

2. Transition stage

3. Working stage

4. Final stage/termination stage

Group Counselling
● The functions of the group

leader/counsellor

● The client’s responsibility

● Group resistance
Techniques of Group Counselling
● Psychoanalytic approach

● Adlerian group counselling

● CBT

● REBT

● Person- centered approach

● Expressive arts therapy in groups

● Psychodrama in groups
Advantages
● Group counselling is more economical in terms of time, since several clients can be

seen during a session.

● Clients can learn from other group members vicariously or by mere observation.

● Each member would be ready to help the other in group counselling. Members view

themselves as clients as well as helpers.

● Multiple feedback is obtainable in group counselling.

Advantages
● Problem solving for a client can be enhanced by the ideas generated by other

group members.

● Group counselling lowers communication barriers.

● It helps clients to express and explore feelings that might otherwise be

withheld.

● Each client has a sense of belonging.

● Clients learn to become sensitive to the needs and feelings of others.

Disadvantages
● Individual counselling is safer for those clients who are excessively withdrawn. Group

counselling may prove too threatening for them.

● Group counselling may be too confrontational for clients with very low self-esteem and

people with serious mental disorder who are deeply depressed.

● Every person in a group may not automatically respect and value contributions made

by others. This may lead to destructive hostility.

Disadvantages
● Clients who have special problems in relating to others may not do well in group, such

clients may first need to participate in individual counselling to be able to utilize group

counselling successfully.

● Although confidentiality is discussed and agreed upon among group members, it may

be more difficult to safeguard and guarantee than it would be in individual counselling.

● Vulnerable clients may feel under pressure to disclose personal problems before they

are ready to do so.

Thank You