The Most Difficult Type of Client (s) To Work With In Treatment
Group counseling is important for character transformation and psychological treatment. Professional counselors act as stewards during group counseling sessions (Harel, Shectman & Cutrona, 2012). Ideally, a standard group counseling session is normally composed of persons from different backgrounds. This means that these categories of persons have varied experiences in life. Apart from this, they also depict diverse tendencies towards psychological therapy. Counselors have a difficult task in transforming the behaviors of stubborn clients. As a result, the efficiency of certain counseling sessions may be compromised.
There are various categories of stubborn clients during group counseling sessions. According to this paper, the court-ordered or mandated clients are the most stubborn and difficult group to work with. Specifically, this is during a typical group counseling session. There are many reasons why this group might be troublesome. For instance, the experiences during their penalty periods may have severe mental implications.
As a result, they might always depict reluctance to associate with groups (Schimmel & Jacobs, 2011). Additionally, these categories of individuals do not like sharing ideas in an open and interactive environment. Generally, they view themselves as misfits within society. Moreover, they always hate the process of socialization. Studies have indicated that most of these people remain in fear of punishment and correction. Therefore, they might regard any other therapeutic counseling session to be punitive.
Processes Involved in Group Development
Group development is a crucial step in undertaking a successful group counseling session. As a professional group counselor, one must observe critical steps towards effective group development. Team building activities form a significant part of group development. These might involve activities such as social events, trips, sports, and constructive competitions. Such engagements enable different people within the group to relate positively to one another.
Apart from this, they can share other life experiences. Confession sessions are also important in ensuring proper group development (Corey, Corey & Corey, 2010). The undertaking helps the individuals to empathize with their fellows. They can reflect upon themselves and their lives. Some investigations have emphasized the importance of indulging in mind-challenging activities. These might entail amplitude tests within groups. They transform the capacity of the group members to engage in problem-solving processes collectively. Notably, there are several processes undertaken during group development. The group counselor has to take note of the various activities. They must be appropriate for the nature of the group in context.
Roles of the Group Leader
The group leaders provide direction to all other members. They are charged with the responsibility to ensure that all members of the group attend the counseling sessions. All members must achieve this objective during every session. They also organize various presentations from members (Gold, 2008). Other than these, they ensure that order and standard counseling practices are adhered to during these processes. The group leaders must be innovative and insightful. This enables them to achieve their varied roles. They act as problem solvers and resolve all conflicts that might arise from the group.
The leaders play a very important role in decision-making initiatives within the group. The leaders act as gatekeepers and stewards of all activities undertaken within the counseling sessions. They organize group events. These might include team building activities and other external duties (Gold, 2008). The group leaders also arrange for external counselors and motivational speakers to meet and discuss with the group. In these initiatives, they enhance knowledge transfer as well as the exchange of ideas and experiences. In normal circumstances, this is achieved within a wider perspective. In general, they aim to promote cohesiveness, encourage social and ideological integration.
The Standards of Practice
Therapeutic counseling requires a great deal of compliance with standards of practice. Particularly, these standards must be observed during all processes. Foremost, practitioners and all other participants must observe legal and ethical implications (Corey, Corey & Corey, 2010). These relate to the factors associated with various procedures in counseling and psychology. Confidentiality is a critical observation in the course of group counseling.
Every person must undertake a role to ensure that sensitive information about all persons is adequately safeguarded. This condition must be fulfilled adequately. The standards of practice relevant to the professional guidance and counseling must be observed to the later. Some of these include the processes of proscription, enrollment of participants, concealing of information, and client discharge. In the case of clinical group counseling, the various psychiatric measures must be observed.
Why This Is the Most Difficult Client and How to Manage Their Care
Most court-ordered clients are resistant to group counseling activities. They are normally forced to attend such sessions. Indicatively, they always yearn to return to jail (Gold, 2008). The individuals also have violent characters and might seldom cause fierce fights and conflicts during the counseling sessions. They require a comprehensive package of care due to their fragile and complex nature.
References
Corey, M.S., Corey, G., & Corey, C. (2010). Groups: Process and Practice. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
Gold, J. M. (2008). Rethinking Client Resistance: A Narrative Approach to Integrating Resistance Into the Relationship-Building Stage of Counseling. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education & Development, 47(1), 56-70.
Harel, Y., Shectman, Z., & Cutrona, C. (2012). Exploration of support behavior in counseling groups with counseling trainees. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 37(3), 202-217.
Schimmel, C.J. & Jacobs, E.E. (2011). When leaders are challenged: Dealing with involuntary members in groups. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 36(2), 144-158.