Concurrent Interventions in Multiple Domains: The Essence of Social Work with Groups

Abstract

The paper examines intervention in social work practice with groups, as it has been conceptualized in the practice theory literature. Some unique features of social work intervention in groups are identified, which have received scant attention in the literature. The paper documents what constitutes the mainstream practice of intervention employed by social workers in adequately functioning groups, highlighting a methodology characterized by spontaneity, creativity, and social inventiveness, in the activation and use of group.

Adventure Therapy: Nondeliberative Group Work in Action

“…According to Ungar et al (2005) when natural consequences are used safely and responsibly in outdoor programming, they can help "avoid issues of power, discipline and control" between the group and the group leader, and "foster secure attachments with staff and other participants that are less hierarchical and more caring" (p. 331). These are nondeliberative practice examples of the "moment-seizing strategy" that Lang (2004) called for in group work, which are key ingredients in adventure therapy.…”

Developmental Transformations: Improvisational Drama Therapy with Children in Acute Inpatient Psychiatry

“…Kurland and Salmon (1992) discussed the challenges of balancing the interests of individual group members with the needs of the group-as-awhole. Expanding on this, Lang (2004) described the multiple simultaneous demands of group leadership, where "the necessity is to be attuned, concurrently, moment by moment, to a compound of individual and group needs in multiple domains" (p. 43). In both instances the imperative is not just to act, but to choose when to act and when not to intervene, at the appropriate moment in the group.…”

The Resident Athletic League

“…From this perspective, group purpose is a 'dynamic, evolving concept that changes over the life of the group' (Kurland & Salmon, 2006, p. 107). Lang (2004) explains, So, I hypothesized that a sports-based group might provide a familiar venue in which members could practice interpersonal effectiveness, while enacting the preferred role of athlete (Wright, 2006;Forte, 2007).…”

“…As shown by the following two examples, our fl exibly formatted group allowed for individualized planning and member-driven purpose (Malekoff, 2007;Kurland & Salmon, 2006;Lang, 2004). I have chosen to include both an individual and a group example to demonstrate how social groupwork is 'distributed, partial, and concurrent, lodged in multiple spheres' (Lang, 2004, p. 44).…”

“…Now, he was working on sharing control as a means of building distress tolerance, internal motivation, and pro-social behavior. Bret could engage in this new form of individual work because the group purpose changed to fi t his needs and the needs of his peers, while also offering him new reasons to stay invested in it, such as the Bret Report (Kurland & Salmon, 2006;Malekoff, 2007;Malekoff, 2001;Lang, 2004).…”