Group Counseling --Leadership Skills I--Impact Therapy

Key Wellness Strategies, Self-Care Techniques, and Productivity Tips from the Video

Essential Group Leadership Skills for Effective Group Counseling

Clarity of Purpose

• Be clear about why you are leading the group.
• Differentiate the purpose depending on the group type (educational vs. therapy).
• Redirect off-topic discussions to maintain focus.

Clear Leadership Role

• Understand and communicate your role as the leader.
• Adopt an active leadership stance where the leader is responsible for guiding the group.
• Members generally accept being led when leadership is clear and effective.

Managing Group Energy

• Generate and sustain energy to keep the group engaged.
• Use activities like movement or written exercises to energize members.
• Read group energy levels to know when to change activities or take breaks.

Varying Group Format

• Avoid repetitive routines that bore group members.
• Use diverse formats such as subgroups, fishbowl techniques, pairs (diads), or triads.
• Incorporate creative exercises and varied processing methods to maintain interest.

Effective Use of Eye Contact

• Use eye contact strategically to engage members and monitor group dynamics.
• Avoid focusing only on one member; scan the group to include everyone.
• Use nonverbal cues (like gestures) to encourage members to look around and connect.

Setting the Proper Tone

• Decide on the tone of the group before starting (serious, light, working tone).
• Be intentional about the atmosphere you create for the session.

Using Your Voice Effectively

• Adjust your tone and style of speaking depending on the audience (e.g., children vs. adults).
• Voice tone helps set the group’s emotional climate and engagement level.

Maintaining and Managing Group Focus

The group focus can be on a person, a topic, or an activity. Skills involved include:

• Getting focus: Directing attention to the relevant subject.
• Holding focus: Keeping the discussion on track.
• Shifting focus: Moving attention smoothly between members or topics.
• Deepening focus: Encouraging meaningful, impactful discussion rather than just filling time.

Use of Impact Therapy techniques helps deepen the group’s focus for greater therapeutic effect.

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Presenters / Sources

• Chris Shimmel, Assistant Professor, Counseling Program, West Virginia University
• Dr. Ed Jacobs, Professor, Counseling Program, West Virginia University