Group Facilitation Skills I

1. Group Facilitation Skills I

2. Learning Objectives • Describe the six core skills of group facilitation. • Demonstrate using reflective listening in group situations. • Demonstrate communicating with empathy in group situations. • Utilize a self-monitoring tool to enhance application of skills.

3. The Basics about Groups • A group is an interaction or relationship between three or more people that share something in common.

4. The Purpose of the Group • Groups serve many functions and purposes. • Brainstorming: what kinds of groups do you know about?

5. Cohesion • One very important element about groups is the strong bonds that are created between members. • Strong cohesion = satisfaction of group members = success of the group

6. The Comfort Agreement • Creating safety. • Articulating the norms of the group.

7. Group Leader Responsibilities • Focus the group on achieving its goals. • Kindly enforce the Comfort Agreement. • Work well with your co-facilitator. • Encourage everyone’s participation. • Encourage cohesion – find similarities. • Demonstrate tolerance.

8. The Phases of Groups • The Pre-Group Phase • Planning what the group is about, who it is for and determining co-facilitators.

9. The Initial Phase • Welcome people. • Review the purpose of the group. • Review the logistics. • Create the Comfort agreement. • Encourage cohesion and interaction among group members.

10. Welcome to the Fishbowl!

11. The Core Skills • Welcoming • Listening • Communicating with empathy • Providing feedback • Self-monitoring • Managing the group

12. Reflective Listening • Repeating/rephrasing • Paraphrasing • Reflection of feeling

13. Communicating with empathy • Empathy is defined as “identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another”. • Empathy is best communicated through good listening.

14. Self-Reflection