Group Dynamics:
“Transition Stage”
of Group
SOPHIE KILLIP, ANSLEY LOVETT, MATTHEW LACHMAN, AND EMILY NEFF
(MEMBERS OF THE “FANTASTIC RANGERS”).
Let’s Review the Transition Stage!

Characteristics of the Transition Stage: Establishing Trust,
Defensiveness/Reluctance, Common Fears, Conflict, Confrontation, and
Challenges to the Leader

Problem Behaviors/ Difficult Group Members: Silence/ Lack of Participation,
Monopolistic Behavior, Storytelling, Questioning, Offering “Pseudosupport”,
Hostile Behavior, Acting Superior, Members Becoming Assistant Leaders

Scenario: Dealing with Defensive Behavior Therapeutically:
Group Member: "I don't want to be here"
Responses: "Where would you rather be?" or "What makes it difficult for you
to be here?"
Group Member: "I'm afraid to talk more about this"
Responses: "What do you fear would happen if you say more?" or "What
would it take for you to feel safer in here?"
Review Continued

Dealing with Transference/ Countertransference:
-Transference: The feelings that clients project onto the counselor
-Countertransference: When counselors project their own unresolved
conflicts onto the client
-What kind of transference leads to my countertransference?
-Many leaders imagine that they will be respected, needed,
admired, or seen as an expert...this is not always the case. Our
countertransference reactions are inevitable. Unconscious "soft
are real.
spots"

Coleader Issues at the Transition Stage: Negative reactions toward one
leader, Challenges to both leaders, Dealing with problem behaviors,
Dealing with countertransference.

Salient Theme: "Dealing With Avoidance by the Whole Group"
Application to other Settings

Clinical


Treatment teams

Psychiatrist VS. Psychologist

Counselors VS. Social Workers
Community

Sports Teams
1. Forming
2. Storming*
3. Norming*
4. Performing
Reflection on an Issue: Resistance


What is Resistance?

“Behavior that keeps us from exploring personal
conflicts.”

Labeling behavior as resistant could imply a lack
of autonomy and become a self-fulfilling
prophecy.
Many writers have reconceptualized resistance and
instead place emphasis on the therapeutic
relationship and reflective listening (e.g. Winslade,
Crocket, & Monk, 1997).
Reflection on an Issue: Resistance

The traditional view of resistance mostly
blames the client and disregards the
counselors responsibility (DeShazer, 1984).

Later conceptualizations appear to view
resistance in a more positive way.

Collaboration between client and
counselor is more important than
identifying behaviors that can block the
connection.

Progress is more likely to occur by
respecting and understanding defensive
behavior.
Supporting Resource
Importance of cohesion
- Therapist (counselor)
- Group members
- Group as a whole
Impact of cohesion
- Predictor of outcome
- Deeper self-disclosures of group members
- More feedback
- Navigate through resistance and anxiety
Aspects to pay attention to:
- Therapeutic style
- Screening
- Length of group
Final Points to Remember!

The Transition Stage is characterized by feelings of
anxiety and defenses.


The members role is to recognize and deal with their
defensiveness.


e.g. the struggle of playing it safe of the risk of getting involved.
e.g. express feelings to avoid a climate of distrust.
The leaders task is to encourage and challenge
members to resolve conflicts and negative reactions.

e.g. provide a model for dealing directly with challenges.
Activity Time!

Activity: At your table, use a dry
erase marker (or paper and pen)
to write down the following:

2 pieces of information you
learned from this presentation on
the “transition stage” of group.

1 strategy you can use to help
facilitate a smooth transition in the
stage of group processing.

Optional: 1 question you have as a
table that we can discuss as a
class.