Introduction
Having discussed the psychological aspects of support groups as a component of psychology, I decided to join a local bereavement support group. The bereavement support group that I joined was for mothers who had lost their children in the neighborhood. After organizing and going through the necessary steps, I was allowed into the group with the intention of learning and participating. The following is therefore an essay of the proceedings of a session in the group.
The purpose of the meeting
The group provided emotional support to mothers who had lost their children in the neighborhood and around the area. The meeting was one of the weekly sessions that they (mothers) have on the same. The assembly is based on the group model as suggested by Dr. Alan Wolfelt (2004) consisting of the six reconciliation needs of mourning. The group usually carries out seven sessions each of which runs for an hour as a support for a session of group therapy (Forsyth, 2014, p. 29). After an introduction to some of the members, most of them explained the reason for their presence. Therefore, I gave encouragements based on the biblical text that suited the occasion. I also proceeded to explain that I was a member of the Liberty Counseling Program and that I was undertaking my studies at the moment.
Group Dynamics and Demographics
The group took place at a local church. This venue was also a way of therapy according to my Christian faith since there is peace in the house of the lord (Forsyth, 2014, p. 31). The group also consisted of seven mothers, all of whom had lost their children in one way or the other. The other members in the meeting were the group leader and me. Strong feelings of trepidation were evident at the start of the group session. The group members appeared to have never been in another group counseling before this one, which is a characteristic to most members of group therapies (Jacobs, Masson, Harvill, & Schimmel, 2012, p. 13). The members also had traumatic losses of their children. This case was one of the complications that were demanding the group leader to be very knowledgeable and experienced.
The group members seemed familiar with each other since they referred to each other using names. The new group members that had joined them for the first time were however welcomed accordingly to the group where they were made to feel like part of them. Some of the questions that rang in my mind include why God had allowed them to suffer, but I encouraged myself in that He has a reason for everything. After the group members had settled down, they took turns under the supervision of the leader to express their reasons for being in the group and the event leading to the loss of their children. As Forsyth states, the group leader should allow the group members to actively participate (2014, p. 29). I also participated in consoling the mothers and enthusiastically listening to them while providing advice where I could. The experiences of some of the mothers seemed worse relative to others. This situation encourages those who listened. They also benefited in knowing that someone had similar problems and that they were not alone (Forsyth, 2014, p. 29).
Stage of Group Development
As Jacobs, Masson, Harvill, and Schimmel state, there are different stages of group development depending on the start, progression, and the schedule adopted (2012, p. 13). These stages include the initial stage, the transition stage where the members’ safety and integration are built, the working stage, and the ending stage (Jacobs, Masson, Harvill, & Schimmel, 2012, p. 16). The group regularly has new members. It was therefore at different stages. For the member who joined it for that day, the stage that she was at was the initial stage. She was therefore going through the introduction with opening up to the group members. Some of the members who had joined at different stages of the groups were also not in the same stage meaning that the group is at all stages of development.
Leader Behavior
The leader in the group had worked with it for some time now. She has helped it through the various stages that it had gone through. The leadership style that a leader adopts in a group of this kind is important since it determines the outcome to be achieved (Forsyth, 2014, p. 29). For this particular group, the leader may be described as having an intrapersonal leadership style based on the session that I attended. She would focus on one of the group members and give her more time than she awarded the other participants. This strategy according to Forsyth makes the participants feel left out and that they are less important with minor problems (2014, p. 23). Another apparent characteristic of the leader was that she was not trained. This case was evident in the leadership style that she practiced throughout the session. She would also leave out some of the members who had bad experiences such as the mother who had tragically lost her child through suicide, only to give her little attention towards the end. This approach was not depictive of a good leadership style since the bible also states that one should give support to the bereaved (Forsyth, 2014, p. 27).
Challenges and Conflicts
Several challenges were evident from the group session that I attended. Some of the main challenges include poor and ineffective leadership, isolation of some of the members throughout the session, and the short duration of the sessions. As Corey, Schneider-Corey, and Haynes assert, leadership is an important pillar in a group therapy where the leader directs the results (2014, p. 24). This group however lacked effective leadership. The newcomers were isolated and left to feel alone despite their experiences. The group also had few sessions, which I believe we’re not enough to offer full support to these mothers. They would also seek attention from the leader who was the main participant instead of the mothers.
Lessons
Some of the lessons that I learned during the group session include the role of leadership in these forms of therapy. Able leaders who can focus attention away from their self to the participants under their care should lead each group. The other major lesson that I learn is that God equips people with the ability to cope with their challenges as Christians. He has given them the tools they need to overcome them in the form of their humanity and valuable friends. He does not therefore provide one with a challenge that he or she cannot handle. Psychologists should strive to provide support to persons in need of psychological care. Group therapy is one of the modes that can work once instituted correctly.
Reference List
Corey, G., Schneider-Corey, M., & Haynes, R. (2014). Groups in action: Evolution and challenges. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole-Cengage Learning.
Forsyth, R. (2014). Group dynamics. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth-Cengage Learning.
Jacobs, E., Masson, L., Harvill, L., & Schimmel, J. (2012). Group counseling: Strategies and skills. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole-Cengage Learning.
Wolfelt, D. (2004). The Understanding Your Grief Support Group Guide. Fort Collins: Companion Press.