Group Process Techniques for Counseling

Group therapy aims to encourage personal development and help people work through potential or current problems, according to the website Group Psychotherapy. This type of therapy helps clients work through relationship problems, as the therapy itself requires that the client participate in relationships. A counselor who understands effective techniques provides an important element in the development of a therapy group. Six group therapy techniques encourage the group toward personal growth and wellness.

Active Listening

• Active listening requires that whenever a group member shares, the other members listen appropriately and ask questions. This practice encourages open communication and allows each group member to feel safe in the environment. The group members should decide at the beginning of the group whether they will raise hands to ask questions or simply ask them outright.

Cutting Off

• This technique allows the counselor to stop a conversation if it veers off the topic. The counselor should decide when it will benefit the group to use this technique. If a group member veers off the topic but shares something of importance, it may not benefit the group to cut off the conversation. However, if a group member continually veers off onto a different topic, cutting off encourages the group's effectiveness.

Eye Contact

• This group process technique should occur on the first day of the group session. The group members split into groups of two, then each member looks at her partner in the eyes for 30 seconds. After this, the group should rotate until each person partners with everyone in the group. Practicing eye contact helps build trust in the group setting.

Dyads

• The dyad technique pairs members of the group together. One member plays the role of the counselor, and the other plays the role of the client. After 15 minutes, the roles reverse. This practice teaches members of the group empathy as they listen to their partner's problems.

Leadership Role

• Each group member can take on the role of the leader in the group by offering advice or concern to another member. As the group progresses, clients begin to look to their peers for empathy rather than just the counselor. According to the website Mental Help, this practice allows the clients to have a wide range of people helping in their problems.

End-of-Group Comments

• At the end of each meeting, the group should spend five minutes discussing how the group session went. This technique allows group members to feel they participated in their own therapy. Each member should share feedback about the session. The counselors should take each comment into consideration to help improve the next group session.