ABSTRACT
The beginning of every meeting is an important marker for the development of each group session. It sets the foundation for subsequent interactions, often serving as a basic sample of the work ahead. People non-consciously orient themselves toward their environment, and make bonding efforts toward one another. Sometimes these efforts are in-sync with their needs for affiliation, and other times they are contrary to their explicit intention for building relationships. At the start of each group session, the author frequently states an open-ended ritual that suggests his overarching aim for a process group: to raise intrapsychic and interpersonal awareness. This intervention is applicable for all therapy modalities as well as presentations and workshops. People frequently function with little awareness of their bodily sensations or their feelings, and instead they organize by to-dos or logical, conscious goals. Watching for non-verbal responses is also very important while tracking group members' reactions.
