Group Facilitation Skills I
Learning Objectives
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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.
The Basics about Groups

A group is an
interaction or
relationship between
three or more people
that share
something in
common.
The Purpose of the Group
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Groups serve many functions and
purposes.
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Brainstorming: what kinds of groups do
you know about?
Cohesion
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One very important element about
groups is the strong bonds that are
created between members.
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Strong cohesion = satisfaction of group
members = success of the group
The Comfort Agreement
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Creating safety.
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Articulating the
norms of the group.
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.
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The Phases of Groups
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The Pre-Group Phase
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Planning what the group is about, who it is
for and determining co-facilitators.
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.
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Welcome to the Fishbowl!
The Core Skills
Welcoming
 Listening
 Communicating with empathy
 Providing feedback
 Self-monitoring
 Managing the group
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Reflective Listening
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Repeating/rephrasing
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Paraphrasing
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Reflection of feeling
Communicating with empathy
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Empathy is defined as “identification with
or vicarious experiencing of the feelings,
thoughts, or attitudes of another”.
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Empathy is best communicated through
good listening.
Self-Reflection