ABSTRACT
Group member anxiety is prevalent during the group orientation and formation process. Member insecurities, indecision about self-disclosure, and apprehension about the novelty of the group modality permeate this process, allowing the opportunity for calculated risk-taking. The Appropriate Population intervention requires members to have the ability to self-reflect, be willing to self-disclose, and be comfortable with both verbal and non-verbal tasks. Additionally, this intervention allows culturally diverse group members to explore some of their own backgrounds and influences, which Gladding notes is a basic component of ethical group practice. The group leader then prompts for volunteers to introduce themselves, and to describe the contents of both the outer and inner portions of their tents. As the first group meeting session may be used for general structuring and practical tasks, this intervention may be more appropriate for the second or third group meeting in order to capitalize on the balance between anxiety and self-disclosure in the forming stage of the group.
