Transitions

Overview:

This week brings the group to the fourth stage of the Schiller (1997) model: Challenge and Change where the facilitator will work hard to help the group maintain their growing connections with each other. (Schiller, 1997) This week builds on the understandings and tools we learned the last 4 weeks and applies them to the process of transitioning: moving from a familiar setting or situation to one that is less familiar or totally new. Group members will be educated about the process of transition and be guided through a discussion and activity that will assist them in making the transition from the group to their life outside of it.

Week 5:

• Check in (25 minutes)

• Meditation (5 minutes)

• Diary & Skill Review (35 minutes)

• Group Activity (20 minutes)

• Take-Aways/Closings (20 minutes)

Description:

• The facilitator will begin this session by reminding members that their time with the group is almost over. They will ask each member to share how they’re feeling about the sessions ending and what that change means for them. This is meant to aid members in working through their variety of feelings about the group ending and to plan for the future outside of the group. (Zastrow & Hessenauer, 2019)

• This will be followed by a guided mediation to help members relax and destress and prepare to focus on the tasks of the session. The facilitator will ask each member to share their diary entry and the skills they have practiced outside of the group.

• The facilitator will then guide the group through an activity and discussion called The Ups and Downs of Change. (Smith, 2018) The facilitator will distribute a list of words associated with change, read each term aloud and ask group members to raise their hand if the word has negative meaning for them. The facilitator will have members look around the group to see how people responded and then will invite a discussion about member’s reactions to the word and why it has a negative connotation. The facilitator will repeat the process, this time asking for positive responses, will have members look around and discuss why this word has positive connotations. The facilitator guides the discussion to focus on group member’s intuitive reactions towards change and how they might begin to see change in a positive light. (Adapted from: Smith, 2018)

• Lastly, the facilitator will once again remind the group of its ending next week and ask members to continue to practice their skills and write a diary entry describing what they have gained from being a part of this group to share at the next session.

Purpose:

The chief purpose of this week’s session is to prepare members for making a successful transition from the group as it nears its end.

Goals:

• Members will identify their feelings towards change

• Members will learn how to look at change in a positive light

• Members will prepare for the group ending