RE: SOCW6121: Discussion: Response to Student (WK11)

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Humanities

Respond to at least two colleagues by: (Be be detailed in response, use 2 APA reference and use sub-headings)

– Explaining whether you agree or disagree that the techniques identified by your colleague will result in successful termination.

– Identify potential consequences of early termination for families and groups.

Response to Chelsie,

Comparison of the termination process between treatment groups and family sessions:

When a worker chooses to engage in the termination process, it is because the group has successfully completed the goals that they established during the beginning stages. Determining termination is also dependent on the emotions, satisfaction, and comfort displayed by the members and the worker combined. According to Toseland & Rivas (2017), it is important that group’s do spend too much time in treatment as excess time can reduce empowerment strategies and can cause members to dwell on the negatives. This theory can be applied to both treatment groups and family sessions as being in treatment for a long period of time can bring up information that is not relevant, therefore causing more turmoil. When a worker chooses to end the group, regardless of whether it is a treatment group or family session, the worker assures that the members are stable and set up with resources to aid them beyond the group and into everyday life.

Explain how you would evaluate readiness to terminate group and family treatment, identifying similarities and differences between the evaluations of the two types of treatment.

When applied to treatment groups, effective termination would solely rely on completion of treatment plan goals. According to Toseland & Rivas (2017), after a treatment plan is implemented, a worker should assure that the plan has proven to be “maintained and generalized to other important aspects of members lives” (p. 402). Similarly, termination of family groups should assure that there is a balance among the family system, regardless of the environment. Additionally, when evaluating whether to terminate, for each group I would have the members reflect on their time in the group and the progress they have made from the beginning. By engaging in reflection the members can note their accomplishments and strengthen their self-determination (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). For families however, I would have the family reflect as a whole on how their communication has improved since the beginning of the group while also having them note significant positive changes.

Describe the techniques you would use to terminate a treatment group and how these may be the same or different than the techniques you would use to terminate a family intervention:

To terminate a treatment group I assure that resources were set up for each member so that they could successfully maintain treatment outside of the group setting. I would remind the group of their success thus far and the skills to utilize if they have feelings of relapse outside of the group. Additionally, I would highly emphasize to client’s the importance of using their community resources and support system’s to resolve any situations in the future (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). The termination with a family group would be similar to a treatment group, however I would briefly go over all the communication techniques discussed throughout each session. Additionally, I would encourage members of each group to seek individual therapy in the future if they felt there were problems to still be addressed or that they needed a more individualized approach to addressing emotions and behaviors.

Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Response to Tamara

Terminating interventions with any group may result in emotional reactions. However, the reaction levels may vary depending on the type of group. Terminating a family session, for instance, does not create strong emotions as when terminating a treatment group. In a family session, individuals do not engage in much self-discloser. During termination of a family session, members are aware that they will be together and therefore the emotions on parting ways do not arise. In family sessions, due to lack of much self-discloser, there is a sense of accomplishment that creep in earlier hence the members look forward to the day. However, in the treatment group, members reveal their intimate details and thus creating a strong connection with other members (Toseland, & Rivas, 2017). Their trust builds and usually becomes more difficult to terminate the treatment group than when terminating the family intervention.

In terminating group and family treatment, there are various ways I can evaluate readiness for the groups for termination. Firstly, I would assess the tools and skills acquired by the clients and their suitability in enhancing client’s self-sufficiency while handling their issues. If I feel there are additional tools that the client might require, I will make appropriate referrals. I would also review the advances made in the sessions while also enquiring from the clients what they learned and what they felt would be of help to face similar situations like what had brought them there. I would also take into account the emotions of the clients and try to decipher their readiness for the termination of the sessions. It would also be very vital to evaluate the clients’ readiness through questions.

In evaluating family and treatment group, the two groups have both differences and similarities. Some similarities include firstly, both settings are assessed for a working relationship amongst the members. Secondly, both settings can be evaluated through interviews. On the other hand, some differences include firstly; the treatment group may need evaluation on facilitation on carrying out duties and the process of giving feedback (London, 2007). This is not the case as a family setup is different from a work environment. Secondly, while assessing a group, the process improvement needs to be evaluated so as it is a determinant of the group’s performance.

In terminating a treatment group, I would use various techniques that can prepare the clients psychologically for the exit. The techniques should be in such a way that they will take into account the group emotions and as well reminding them of what they have learned and how to apply those skill to everyday life. These techniques can also be applied when terminating a family intervention. An example of a technique I would consider is the use of Therapeutic Goodbye Cards (Creative Social Worker, 2014). In this case, I can note down the accomplishments during the sessions and highlight coping tools, and what has been learned.

References

Creative Social Worker, (2014). Ending the Therapeutic Relationship: Creative Termination Activities. SWHELPER. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkhelper.com/2014/04/02/ending…

London, M. (2007). Performance appraisal for groups: Models and methods for assessing group processes and outcomes for development and evaluation. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 59(3), 175–188.

Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.