COU206: Conduct a literature review on the comparison between online groups and groups in-person. Review, describe the findings and state clearly the advantages and limitations of both online groups and groups in-person. Group Facilitation and Group Counselling assignment

Module / Subject / School:

COU206 Group Facilitation and Group Counselling

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Requirements:

Question 1
Traditionally, group therapy is always conducted in-person. The effects of a group of people suffering from the same issues, sit in a circle with or without a professional facilitator to talk about similar struggles cannot be underestimated. Clinicians who practise group therapy have generated publications on the efficacies of group programmes in treating a myriad of human life issues. Yalom and proponents went on to identify therapeutic factors that have undeniable positive effects that facilitate
change. Many of the studies that involved groups were conducted in-person. It is widely-accepted knowledge that groups conducted in-person can produce significant therapeutic impact on members to effect positive change.
However, the world has taken a change when the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Safety measures and keeping distance were the key approaches to ensure safety. Together with the progress in technology advancement, group therapy during the pandemic time had to adapt to the new norm of keeping safe-distancing. Thus, the new era of online groups were introduced. The rationale of converting group therapy from an in-person setting to online platform was created not only for reasons of keeping members safe, but also out of necessity as travelling to gather in the same premises was no longer a feasible option.
Organisations around the world began to convert their regular group programmes to online platforms. It is now a common trend to see groups or training programmes being conducted online. As the world began to ease up on restrictions, in-person group programmes may slowly re-commence in the near future.

a) It is an interesting era to compare the differences of online group programmes versus traditional group settings. You are to conduct a literature review on the comparison between online groups and groups in-person. In your literature review, describe the findings and state clearly the advantages and limitations of both online groups and groups in-person. In your essay, critically examine and
discuss your findings. Substantiate your evidence with sound literature
referencing, and provide critical evaluations on the differences between the two.

The discussion should encompass proper APA referencing.
This section should be about 800 words.
(25 marks)

b) In a group setting, many factors can effect change in members. Irvin Yalom identified eleven therapeutic factors that can happen in a group. These therapeutic factors can contribute to positive changes in members. The eleven therapeutic factors are:

Instilling hope
Universality
Imparting information
Altruism
Socialising
Modelling
Cohesiveness
Catharsis
Existential factors
Corrective recapitulation of family of origin issues
Interpersonal learning

Among the eleven therapeutic factors, Catharsis is often deemed as a powerful phenomenon that can help facilitate the release of pent-up emotions in clients.

Provide an introduction of Catharsis as a therapeutic factor. In your essay, describe how Catharsis occurs in groups and what its therapeutic functions are. Clearly explain whether catharsis is an applicable therapeutic factor in sessions. Support your answers with references.

This section should be about 800 words.

Question 2
Indran is a member of a domestic violence group. People who attend this group were referred by the Courts due to the criminal offence of perpetrating violence at home. The Courts had sentenced him with a Mandatory Treatment Order (MTO), of which he needs to fulfil the treatment programme as stipulated in the Order. Indran was not grateful he was spared from serving time in the prison, and reluctantly joined the group. He blames the Courts for ordering him to attend MTO programmes and complains of having to pay for the counselling and group programmes from his own pocket.

With all the grievances against the authority, he joined the group with a resentful mindset. As the group programme started, Indran acted out by being guarded, defensive and argumentative. He was uncooperative in giving sharing, tried to be bossy and would say things to put other members and facilitator down. Indran was clearly a highly resistant member in the Initial Stage.

a) Based on the above information, demonstrate what a leader can do to deal with a highly-resistant client like Indran. Discuss how the leader employs interventions at the Initial Stage to address problematic behaviours of resistant clients like Indran.
This section should be about 800 words.
(25 marks)

b) The group that Indran attends is called Group of Domestic Violence. It is mainly catered for people with committed offences in domestic violence. The members who attended the group also presented with co-morbid conditions like substance abuse and gambling issues, which are some of the main triggers to domestic violent episodes.

In this group, apart from Indran, there were other clients who also exhibited problematic behaviours in sessions. In particular, there was one member Hock Lim who liked to monopolise by telling stories, giving advice and providing pseudo-support to others. Hock Lim’s over-zealous attitude in sessions soon became clear to the leader and other members that he was not sincere in helping but was more interested in glorifying himself.

The group had entered into the Transition Stage. Conflicts were getting more frequent. Members were frustrated at Indran and Hock Lim’s problematic behaviours, and they were vocal about their unhappiness. However, the leader led the group well and they transited into the Working Stage without many challenges.

Provide illustrations on how the leader managed these problematic behaviours in the Transition Stage without breaking the therapeutic alliance among the members.
This section should be about 800 words.
(25 marks)

What we score:

75%

Our Writer’s Comment

This assignment tests students on their understanding of group counselling concepts.

Question 1

a) When comparing online group programs to traditional in-person settings, it is important to conduct a literature review to examine the advantages and limitations of both approaches. In your essay, provide a critical analysis of the findings and discuss the differences between online groups and groups in-person. Ensure you substantiate your arguments with relevant literature references and provide critical evaluations. Remember to follow proper APA referencing guidelines.

b) Catharsis is an important therapeutic factor in group settings. In your essay, introduce catharsis as a therapeutic factor and explain how it occurs in groups and its therapeutic functions. Clearly state whether catharsis is an applicable therapeutic factor in sessions and support your answers with references.

Question 2

a) Indran is a highly-resistant client in the Initial Stage of group therapy. Discuss what a leader can do to address problematic behaviors exhibited by resistant clients like Indran. Focus on the interventions employed by the leader at the Initial Stage to deal with resistance and problematic behaviors. Provide detailed explanations and examples to support your discussion.

b) The group Indran attends is for individuals with domestic violence offenses, and other members like Hock Lim exhibit problematic behaviors. In the Transition Stage, conflicts arise, and the leader needs to manage these behaviors without breaking the therapeutic alliance among the members. Provide illustrations of how the leader effectively handles these problematic behaviors in the Transition Stage while maintaining the therapeutic alliance. Use specific examples and demonstrate an understanding of group dynamics.

Ensure that your responses are well-structured, clear, and concise. Support your arguments with relevant literature references and provide examples or illustrations to enhance understanding. Follow APA referencing guidelines and maintain a critical and analytical approach throughout your essays.

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