Goals

Types of Group Goals

Goals can be session specific or germane to the entire group process over time. Goals can be group or individual. Usually the group sets goals and these goals are met both on an individual level as well as on a group level.

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Goals
Types of Group Goals

Goals will be specific to the type of group (e.g. psychoeducational, task, counseling, psychotherapeutic as well as grief and loss, remedial etc.) Goals can be short-term, long-term or time limited. Goals can also be determined by the theory used.

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Goals
Examples of Theory Based Goals
Psychoanalytic

The main goal is to gain insight and adaptation. The goal is also to obtain deep and lasting changes in internal object constellations. It is important to free the individual from transference-bound repetition. The goal is also to free the person from psychological chains that has bound the individual into a life of suffering and repetition.

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Goals
Examples of Theory Based Goals
Person-Centered

The goal is to provide an atmosphere of trust and respect so that group members can feel free to express themselves. The goal is to help group members become congruent and genuine.

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Goals
Examples of Theory Based Goals
Cognitive-Behavioral

Goals are formed both individually upon intake and as a group within the sessions. The goals are operationally defined (made concrete and measurable). Goals might be issue specific (e.g., in an assertive training group the goal might be to reach a certain score on a test that measures assertiveness which indicates that group members or an individual increased his or her ability to be assertive).
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Examples of Group Modality Based Goals
Self-Help Groups

The goal is to help group members resume adaptive functioning and coping. These goals will be issue specific such as: Alcoholics Anonymous: The goal is to help the alcoholic retain sobriety by countering the assertiveness of alcoholism by teaching surrender.

Recovery Inc: Goal is to promote willpower and a positive self-image in people suffering from mental disorders. Synnanon: Goal is to keep the addict drug free by reversing the addicts social and emotional detachments.
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Examples of Goals for Diverse Groups

Group goals take diversity issues into consideration. Goals need to be consistent with the values and beliefs of the cultural group of the members. Group leaders can consult with cultural leaders to make sure group goals are appropriate for the group. Group leaders need to be cognizant of how they might positively or negatively impact group goals within a cultural context.

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Group Goals in the Schools
Goals might be age specific: Example: Middle School or Junior High

Goals are to help students work in cooperative learning groups. Goals are to help students learn skills (e.g. problem solving, communication, and build self-esteem.) Goals can include helping the student test self-perceptions against reality.

Goals can include helping students explore new behaviors.

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Goals
Group Goals in the Schools
Goals might be issue specific: Example: Group Guidance Relating to Race and Ethnicity

Goals might include:

Helping students accept and appreciate differences in others.

Helping students learn the appropriate terminology. Helping students explore their biases. Helping students learn about other cultures and ethnicities.
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The Group Counselors Role in Goal Setting

The counseling goals are a collaboration between counselor and group members. The counselor aids and guides members in choosing goals that are both appropriate and obtainable. Sometimes smaller sub-goals are needed to reach a larger goal. If goals are set that are unobtainable it promotes failure. It is the group counselors responsibility to ensure this does not happen.

Copyright Allyn & Bacon 2004