What are Growth Groups?

Growth groups are one of the many different services offered at the Counseling Center. If you are wondering whether or not this type of learning experience suits your current needs, the following information should answer some of your questions.

The first question many people have is, "Just what is a growth group?" A growth group is a small informal group designed to help relatively healthy people better understand how to establish and maintain close and gratifying relationships. In a growth group, approximately 6-10 individuals meet weekly for one and one half hours with a trained group leader(s). The primary task of growth group members is to learn as much as possible about the way they relate to each of the other members in the group. This learning occurs through sharing perceptions, thoughts, and feelings, trying out new behaviors, giving and receiving feedback, and observing how other members and the leader(s) deal with specific interactions/situations. Thus, growth groups have an interpersonal focus and are especially appropriate for individuals who are interested in working on interpersonal issues and skills (e.g., connecting with others, communicating effectively, expressing your feelings, supporting others, asserting yourself, and getting feedback about how you come across to others).

A second question people often ask is "Why are growth group effective and how do they work?" There are a number of reasons for the effectiveness of growth groups:

1. When people come into a group and interact freely with other group members, they usually recreate those interpersonal issues/difficulties that brought them to a growth group in the first place. Under the direction of the group leader(s), the group is able to give support, offer alternatives, and/or gently confront members such that these difficulties become resolved and new interpersonal skills are learned.
   
   
2. Growth groups generate a sense of community within an atmosphere of support and acceptance. Such an environment permits members to share with one another and to risk trying new interpersonal behaviors and social techniques.
   
   
3. Growth groups provide a safe setting in which intense feelings may be experienced and expressed. Members often find that their feelings don't seem so overwhelming when experienced in a supportive environment and that they are not alone in their experience.
   
   
4. Within a growth group members are given the opportunity to express thoughts and feelings, give and receive feedback, and observe how others respond in different ways to the same events or situation.
   
   
5. Finally, in the climate of trust created, members feel free to care about and help each other. The sharing, support, and opportunity to learn new interpersonal skills form the basis for increased self-knowledge, self-acceptance, and enhanced ability to relate to others.

A third question is, "What do I talk about and what is appropriate behavior in a growth group?" As you get to know the other group members, you can begin talking with each other about the relationship issues which brought you to the growth group in the first place. The atmosphere of trust in the group permits the expression of feelings and concerns which may be difficult to discuss outside the group. If you need support, let the group know. If you want feedback or think you need confrontation, let them know this also. It is important to tell people what you expect of them.

The focus and energy of the growth group needs to be upon the members' relationships with one another and the group as a whole. Thus, the emphasis is on how group members interact with each other and on the feelings and reactions they experience in the group versus an emphasis on feelings and reactions pertaining to "outside" people and problems.

It is useful to view the group as a supportive social laboratory in which honest interpersonal exploration with other members is openly encouraged. Working on your relationships with other group members is not always easy but is necessary if learning is to occur. If you can understand and work out your relationships in the growth group, there can be enormous carry over to your outside relationships.

A fourth question is, "Are there any ground rules for my participation in the group?" There are only seven:

1. Consistent attendance is very important. If you must miss a session, it is important to let the group leader(s) know as far in advance as possible.
   
   
2. Generally, group members are asked to make a commitment for the duration of the group (usually 8-10 sessions). However, if at some time during the course of the group you decide that the group isn't the most appropriate experience for you we ask that you come to the group and say goodbye.
   
   
3. Promptness to group sessions is important. The group meeting times have been set by the leader(s) and you are asked to adhere to those times.
   
   
4. It is the responsibility of each person to talk about his/her reasons for being in the group. Please do not sign up for a group unless you are interested in personal growth; earning extra class credit, by itself, is not an adequate reason to be in a growth group.
   
   
5. While it is helpful for you to share your feelings and reactions in group, it is important to keep in mind that you are the one who determines how much you self-disclose in group. You will not be forced to reveal your deepest and innermost thoughts and feelings.
   
   
6. The way we most respect ourselves and others is by experiencing feelings and then allowing ourselves to talk about them. For example, acting on angry feelings is not acceptable in the group, talking about them is.
   
   
7. The group sessions are confidential. Group members, like the leader(s), are bound ethically and legally not to disclose the contents of the group sessions.

We hope the group experience is a good one for you. If you should want to talk to the group leader(s) please do so.