Jacob schimmel

Week 8 Discussion Post Responses

Respond to the 2 discussion posts below and present a different point of view on their strategies. The discussion posts below are based on the following: Post your description of the strategies for working with involuntary group members presented in the Schimmel & Jacobs (2011) article. Describe ways you agree and/or disagree with their strategies. How might you handle the situations presented in the article differently? Explain ways these strategies promote empowerment.

1) Cynthia’s Discussion Post

Group Work with Involuntary Members

Facilitating a group can be a daunting experience, however, when the group leader exercises effective leadership skills they may be able to shift the perceptions of involuntary members and create an atmosphere where all members may positively contribute as well as gain information from the group. Some of the skills necessary in a leader are the ability to maintain control, empathy, and creativity. (Schimmel & Jacobs, 2011). Group members may have different experiences that contribute to their resistance in the group setting such as adverse childhoods and trauma. The job of the leader is to take note of any difficulties and approach them in a way that builds trust and safety of the group setting which can lead members to feel secure and willing to share and invest in the groups' purpose (Toseland & Rivas, 2017).

Strategies for working with Involuntary Members

In the article by Schimmel & Jacobs, the authors present strategies that can be effective with involuntary members in different group settings. Involuntary members may exist in a group of their own, meshed within a group of voluntary participants, as well as enter the group after creation (Schimmel & Jacobs, 2011). To build a safe and secure environment for all members voluntary and involuntary, facilitators should screen members to ensure the group is appropriate for their needs as well as have an understanding that the group may need to begin slowly and build up to difficult topics. Some members may be unwilling to speak initially for many reasons, and steps should include ensuring a relaxed space that is inviting so that members feel respected and unpressured. Several strategies discussed by Schimmel & Jacob (2011) included the use of props, written exercises, creativity, movement during sessions, and assessing member readiness. (2011). Creative props allow members to attach their emotions to inanimate objects which may be useful for members by providing representation that they can see. An example of this described by Schimmel & Jacob involved group members in an anger management group that used strings to represent how short their fuses were. Members were shown strings of different sizes and asked to choose the one which best described the management of their anger. (2011). By allowing members to visualize their anger, it allows them to formulate a picture on what their anger looks like to them. Many times, members within a group may be unaware of the effects of their negative behaviors, and visual representation may allow them to have a more accurate perception.

Agree and/or Disagree with the Strategies

I agree with the strategies presented by Schimmel & Jacobs in their article. My reasoning for this is the strategies provide methods that are beneficial to both voluntary and involuntary members within a group. The example I use is the scenario that described a process called inner circle, outer circle. (Schimmel & Jacobs, 2011). Inner Circle/ Outer Circle allows a member to choose their placement within a group. If a member feels ready to participate in the group and make positive contributions, they can choose to sit closer to the group and engage with its members and leader. When a member does not feel engaged or unwilling to participate, they can sit outside the group. Members are still allowed to hear the information and are welcome to join when they feel they are ready and will not create distractions for other members. (Schimmel & Jacobs, 2011). This strategy allows members to feel safe and respects all members feelings. Respect and safety are enormous in group work, and without them, most groups will not flourish. I agree with the strategies because I believe they exhibit consideration regarding group members and the overall group functioning.