ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION There is an enormous amount of work that needs to be completed prior to the first session. The group leader’s work begins long before the group starts to work, and much of the success for the group is dependent on the leader’s attention to the planning phase. It may be helpful to think of planning as having the following phases and components:
• Condition, topic, audience/participants • Research findings • Demographics and other participant data
• Available materials
Phase 2: Decisions About Proposed Group
• Membership selection • Open versus closed group • Framework for sessions, such as number, duration, and the like
Phase 3: Preparing
• Establish goals and objectives • Plan for evaluating • Gather supplies • Write lectures • Pregroup screening for members
Planning should be an orderly developmental process and should not be truncated even after you gain experience in leading groups. Careful planning can help promote safety and trust, reduce and eliminate some potential problems, and provide you as the leader with confidence. This chapter presents material to help guide your planning.
