4.2 Planning is important

Figure _unit4.5.1 Figure 15

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This is a photograph of a group of men in a therapy session.

Figure 15

Knowing that groups can be damaging for some individuals, as well as being helpful for others, is essential for group leaders when establishing formal groups. Issues need to be anticipated and managed, such as group membership; location and duration of sessions; management of conflict; boundaries and realistic expectations for the utility and possibilities for success; the ethical, cultural, and anti-oppressive foundations for the behaviour of leaders and group members; and finally, how the ending of the group might impact differentially on each individual group member.