Long established social work groups have likely been functioning in your community for some time?even though you may not think of them as such. These community-based groups provide valuable client services. They also provide an opportunity for you to observe established groups in action. For this Assignment, you observe specific social work group skills, paying special attention to how these groups foster engagement, inspire individual participation, and effect endings and transitions.
To prepare: For this assignment, locate, attend, and observe an open Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Al-Anon, or another community-based treatment group that is based on the AA 12-step model. You will need to ensure that you are able to attend the group by contacting the group facilitator before the meeting. ONLINE MEETING IS OK FOR THE ASSIGNMENT
Note: Treatment group web sites often offer guides or directories for finding local groups and the parameters for attending. For example, with AA, open meetings are available to anyone interested in AA?s programs, and non-alcoholics may attend open meetings as observers. Closed meetings are for AA members only.
Submit a 2- to 3-page reflection paper in which you:
Describe the group process and the group dynamics you observed.
Explain how self-help groups such as the one you attended can be a form of treatment.
Explain how small group interventions can be effective for clients.
