Group counseling sessions with adolescents contain a number of features related to structure, leadership style, and intervention. D’Amico et al. (2015) explore what strategies have a positive effect on individual outcomes in group intervention when working with adolescents. The study emphasizes that the response of the leader and group members to individual change talk plays a special role in such sessions. In particular, changing or sustaining talk in response to a participant’s statement affects individual intervention results.
A feature of the structure of group sessions with adolescents is the need to create a comfortable atmosphere. The authors emphasize that the facilitator asks the participants before the session how to make the group safe and comfortable (D’Amico et al., 2015). During the session, various aspects of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) were discussed, which may motivate participants to change. The session is built on providing the group with information and sharing their reflections on it. The authors note that “peer responses in the group were also an important component of the group process” (D’Amico et al., 2015, p. 76). This interaction is key when working with adolescents, as maintaining a change talk by participants has a positive impact on individual outcomes.
The leadership style in group counseling for adolescents should be based on openness and trust. Thus, the group leader builds the structure of the session and guides its course, but the focus is on communication between the participants. As other teens, the leader responds to the participant’s change talk in a way that encourages him or her to change. The authors note that participants’ change talk in response to an individual’s change talk sustains discussion and improves outcomes (D’Amico et al., 2015). Thus, the leader needs to propose topics for discussion to the participants and, through their reflection, support the exchange of opinions and responses.
In relation to intervention, the topics discussed at the session should be directly related to the current issues of adolescents and associated with their life changes. In particular, during the AOD group consultation, participants need to discuss the impact which the use has on their lives. It is necessary to emphasize those aspects that in each case accompany the issue of the individual. When working with adolescents, it is necessary to focus on problems that are close to them and discuss possible changes.
Reference
D’Amico, E. J., Houck, J. M., Hunter, S. B., Miles, J. N. V., Osilla, K. C., & Ewing, B. A. (2015). Group motivational interviewing for adolescents: Change talk and alcohol and marijuana outcomes. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 83(1), 68–80. Web.