OCD Action - Support Groups – Satwant Singh

1. Support Groups
Satwant Singh
Nurse Consultant in CBT & MH

2. Aims
 Understand the principles of support groups
 Role of ground rules and setting appropriate rules
 Practice of running groups and setting good
practice
 Maintaining of safety of groups
 Dealing with difficulties that may arise
 Containing the group
 Support for the facilitator

3. Group work
What are groups and what is the function of the
groups?

4. Groups
Types
 Treatment groups
 Support groups
 Open
 Close

5. Treatment groups
 Formal
 Structured
 Specific treatment outcomes
 Facilitated by a therapist
 Has a start and end date
 Evaluated- outcomes
 Limited number of people attending

6. Support groups
 Formal
 Informal
 Less structured
 Different aims and objectives- more of a supportive
role
 Not leaning towards treatment
 Facilitated by group member/sufferer/volunteer
 On going no time limit
 No limit to numbers

7. What are the key
ingredients in setting up a
group?
List the key ingredients in setting up a group?

8. What are ground rules and how
do you develop them?
Brain storming exercise

9. Ground rules
 Crucial
 They help set the scene e.g. starting and ending
time
 Provides structure of the group
 Provides a context to the group e.g. sufferers only
 Provide rules to govern the group e.g. disruptive
behaviour, alcohol, drug taking the group
 Provides a framework for all members of the group
to work in
 Maintains safety of the group

10. Ground rules continued
 Confidentiality
 Respecting others, value their views and what
they have
 Mutual trust
 Starting and ending time
 Membership
 Responsibilities and roles
 Issues relating to child protection, abuse etc

11. Setting good practice
 Aims and objectives of group- what, why and
what is it to achieve
 Ground rules- provides a structure to work within
and need to be developed with the group
 Appropriate environment, time and safe
 Access
 Frequency

12. Setting up good practice
 Sit in other groups
 To observe and learn
 Support and developing support network
 Networking
 Have a co facilitator
 Provides support
 Cover
 And help to deal with difficult situations
 Have a good knowledge of the subject area

13. What difficulties may arise
In small groups discuss what difficulties that may
arise and how will you deal with them?

14. Difficulties that may arise
 Breach of confidentiality
 Abusive behaviour
 Disrespect to members of the group
 Alcohol and drug related
 Not adhering to boundaries
 Criminal activities and damage e.g. theft,
damage to property
 Feeling stuck not knowing how to respond etc

15. Containing the group
 Need to have the skills in containing the group
 Involves working to the aims and objectives
 Keeping in on track and not deviating
 Ensuring that the group is not about reassurance but
normalisation
 Recognising patterns that are emerging
 Negotiating difficulties that arise
 Inappropriate behaviour
 Inappropriate material for the group

16. How do you develop the skills to
contain the group?
Consider how would you develop these skills?

17. Support for the facilitator
 Do go and sit in and observe other groups
 Ensure that there is a co-facilitator
 Develop a network with other group facilitators e.g.
OCD groups
 Have regular peer supervision sessions
 Have regular contact with OCD action to be aware of
any updates etc
 List of local services, other groups, treatment centres
 Resources e.g. reading materials etc

18. Take away
Reflecting on this session- I would like you to
spend a few minutes and feedback what would
you take away from this group?