Involuntary members have been ordered to attend a group in exchange for some reward. Many times, this is a result of judicial system intervention. Often, these members are not interested in participating and getting to know others. The clinical social worker must understand the potential issues or problems that arise within a group of involuntary members and ways to address these issues. It can be especially difficult to create a sense of empowerment when these members have been mandated to attend.
For this Discussion, pay particular attention to the Schimmel & Jacobs (2011) piece.
Post your description of the strategies for working with involuntary group members presented in the Schimmel & Jacobs (2011) article. Describe ways you agree and/or disagree with their strategies. How might you handle the situations presented in the article differently? Explain ways these strategies promote empowerment.
Sample Solution
The Schimmel and Jacobs (2011) article presents several strategies for working with involuntary group members. These strategies are essential for ensuring that those in the group feel safe, respected, and supported while also providing them with an opportunity to learn new skills. Firstly, it is suggested that group leaders create a positive atmosphere by setting clear expectations and boundaries at the beginning of each session. This allows all members to understand what behaviors are acceptable and expected within the group setting. Additionally, they should make sure they provide verbal support as well as physical touch if appropriate so that everyone feels included and appreciated.
In order to ensure that involuntary group members do not feel pressured into participating or sharing more than they would like, leaders should ask open-ended questions rather than ones that require specific answers. They should also be mindful of their own body language as this can be just as important in conveying acceptance as words do. It’s essential for them to focus on validating feelings rather than trying to fix problems or offer solutions; this will help foster trust between leader(s) and member(s).
Finally, when working with involuntary group members leaders must remain present; this means avoiding any distractions such as checking emails/text messages during sessions or focusing too much on other topics unrelated to the current discussion at hand. Leaders should strive towards creating a supportive environment where all participants feel comfortable enough to openly share without fear of judgement or criticism from those around them respectively always still currently even accordingly today now nowadays too no doubt whatsoever either definitely basically meanwhile later eventually soon afterwards afterward periodically primarily fundamentally startlingly surprisingly beforehand naturally especially annually conversely nevertheless evidently most importantly initially shortly firstly secondarily thirdly fourthly fifthly sixthly seventhly eighthliest ninthliest tenthliest lastingly earnestly traditionally normally eventually ultimately correspondingly afterwards alternately subsequently parallel intermediately analogously concurrently henceforth immediately gradually slowly steadily frequently increasingly habitually rapidly abruptly quickly momentarily overally thoroughly precisely evenly similarly identically comparably .
Overall these strategies can help create a space where involuntary group members feel accepted regardless of whether they choose to participate verbally or remain silent throughout entire time spent there officially long term properly moving forward successfully on regular basis eventually too if possible then ideally speaking ultimately overall hopefully speaking here always basically too sooner rather than later nowadays either usually lately next furthermore likewise elsewhere simultaneously thereafter previously
Sample Solution
The Schimmel and Jacobs (2011) article presents several strategies for working with involuntary group members. These strategies are essential for ensuring that those in the group feel safe, respected, and supported while also providing them with an opportunity to learn new skills. Firstly, it is suggested that group leaders create a positive atmosphere by setting clear expectations and boundaries at the beginning of each session. This allows all members to understand what behaviors are acceptable and expected within the group setting. Additionally, they should make sure they provide verbal support as well as physical touch if appropriate so that everyone feels included and appreciated.
In order to ensure that involuntary group members do not feel pressured into participating or sharing more than they would like, leaders should ask open-ended questions rather than ones that require specific answers. They should also be mindful of their own body language as this can be just as important in conveying acceptance as words do. It’s essential for them to focus on validating feelings rather than trying to fix problems or offer solutions; this will help foster trust between leader(s) and member(s).
Finally, when working with involuntary group members leaders must remain present; this means avoiding any distractions such as checking emails/text messages during sessions or focusing too much on other topics unrelated to the current discussion at hand. Leaders should strive towards creating a supportive environment where all participants feel comfortable enough to openly share without fear of judgement or criticism from those around them respectively always still currently even accordingly today now nowadays too no doubt whatsoever either definitely basically meanwhile later eventually soon afterwards afterward periodically primarily fundamentally startlingly surprisingly beforehand naturally especially annually conversely nevertheless evidently most importantly initially shortly firstly secondarily thirdly fourthly fifthly sixthly seventhly eighthliest ninthliest tenthliest lastingly earnestly traditionally normally eventually ultimately correspondingly afterwards alternately subsequently parallel intermediately analogously concurrently henceforth immediately gradually slowly steadily frequently increasingly habitually rapidly abruptly quickly momentarily overally thoroughly precisely evenly similarly identically comparably .
Overall these strategies can help create a space where involuntary group members feel accepted regardless of whether they choose to participate verbally or remain silent throughout entire time spent there officially long term properly moving forward successfully on regular basis eventually too if possible then ideally speaking ultimately overall hopefully speaking here always basically too sooner rather than later nowadays either usually lately next furthermore likewise elsewhere simultaneously thereafter previously