Name Essays (1197 words) - Psychology, Human Communication

Name Instructor's name Course number Course title Date Group development There are five stages of group development; forming, storming, norming, performing, adjourning (Raes et al., 2015). The first stage, forming, covers orientation. At this stage, the group members get to know each other and their facilitator. They might share information about their backgrounds, interests as well as experiences. They learn about the goals and objectives of the group and. At this initial stage, the members need to feel safe. Most of them will do limited sharing until they feel comfortable. As a leader, the goal is to help the members move through this stage successfully. This is attained through providing information and clear guidelines, keeping the communication open and listening with compassion. The second stage is storming. It is characterized by a lot of power struggle (Colombini, & McBride, 2012). As the member's settle in and get comfortable, they are bound to challenge each other or the leader, form cliques or exclude others. Some may want their experiences heard over and over again, not giving others chance to be heard. This could be frustrating for everyone in the group. As a leader, the goal is to be active but compassionate and ensure that boundaries are maintained. The members should be encouraged to stay respectful. Every member should express themselves and be heard. It is also important to acknowledge the differences and come up with a problem-solving model which will aid in developing a more cohesive group. Norming is the third stage. It is the cooperation and integration part where the group tends to be more fun. The members have become familiar with each other and the power struggle is over. There is bonding, interactions are much easier, members more cooperative and productive, and mutual respect has been established. Cohesiveness is developed as members identify with each other and trust one another (Colombini, & McBride, 2012). There is open communication, and in case of any conflict, the issue is easily resolved. As a leader, the main role at this point is to keep the group on track, encourage creativity as well as their participation. Positivity should be reinforced and group members encouraged to work towards the set objectives and goals. The fourth stage is performing. Not all groups manage to reach here. The stage is marked by interdependence both in personal relations and solving problems (Raes et al., 2015). The friendships deepen, there is group unity and members tend to look out for each other. At this point, the leader is not required to actively oversee the day-to-day activities of the members. The only task is to monitor the progress of the group members. As a leader, the goal is to increase productivity through problem-solving and work. Adjourning is the final stage. It normally involves termination from the group and its tasks, as well as disengagement from the relationships. It is the last interaction between the leader and the members, and among the members too. During the termination session, there is an assessment of the goals, exchange of feedback, discussion of challenges as well as gains from the session. An evaluation is normally done after, to establish the effectiveness of the meetings. Discussions are carried out to determine whether the set goals and objectives were met. The rationale for developing the group Divorce is becoming an increasingly common issue among the American families. According to Fagan, & Churchill (2012), children of divorce are highly likely to develop behavioral, psychological, social as well as academic problems. The rationale of the group development is to assess and evaluate the importance and effectiveness of a counseling group in helping children deal or cope with divorce. Given the high prevalence of divorce and the potential negative effects on children, it is important to utilize effective prevention programs. Goal setting Most divorces are devastating, with children being negatively affected, and parents not knowing how to help them cope with the situation. As such, it is important to help them get through the challenges. The first goal of the group is to provide a supportive environment that will help reduce the stress that comes along with divorce. Another goal is to increase protective coping skill, especially for the children. The purpose and focus Divorce comes along with grief, denial, anger, and sometimes, depression. The purpose of the group is to help the children understand divorce and help them cope with the stress, emotions, and realities that come along with it. It is also meant to help the parents learn ways of relating to their children in a way that does not cause further psychological or emotional damage. The group will focus