Group observation

Students are required to observe a group from their practicum site or locate a service agency that provides group social work services or support groups. When students locate an agency, they want to use for this assignment, they must request and obtain permission from an agency administrator and a group leader to observe some group sessions. Sometimes students have difficulty finding a group to observe. Therefore, start researching agencies for opportunities as soon as possible to ensure completing this assignment. Many agencies have requirements that student observers are approved as “volunteers” and sometimes approval entails various background checks. Volunteer coordinators at agencies usually know what the agency’s requirements are. Agencies that offer psychoeducational groups can be more likely to allow observers. If the student cannot find a group to observe, other options include:
• Attending THREE 12-step program meetings and observing the group interactions in self-help groups. (Be sure they are “open” meetings.)
• Joining a therapy or psychoeducational group and observing the interactions in the group while attending. Note: The TAMUT Student Health Services offers several groups for student participation that may be of interest.
In all situations of group observation or participation and observation, students must respect and keep confidentiality. Students are to observe the group, take notes while observing or immediately afterwards if note-taking behavior seems too disruptive to the process.
This assignment includes the requirement that once students return home and reflect on their experience, they create a group profile and reaction paper including the following information:
a) The purpose of the group, including the benefits and goals for group participants
b) Group composition and structure
c) The facilitator’s leadership techniques and style (Note: students may interview the group facilitator after their group experience to find out more about how the group operates, etc.)
d) Specific dynamics noted, re: interactions between members, systems observations, etc.
e) The stage of group development that the student can analyze from observations.
f) Based on the student’s group analysis (c-e above) and knowledge gained from the class, conclude the paper with an overall assessment of the strengths of the group and areas that might be improved or facilitated differently.
The paper length is 6 to 8 pages, using APA style. Since this is a narrative about your experience (similar to a case study), it is acceptable to use the “first person” perspective. Keep your references limited to exact quotes from readings or people interviewed.

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