Provide discussion post responds to the colleagues by explaining whether you agree or disagree that the techniques identified by your colleague will result in successful termination. Identify potential consequences of early termination for families and groups.
Colleague #1 (KC SOB Jones)
Comparison of the termination process between treatment groups and family sessions:
When a worker chooses to engage in the termination process, it is because the group has successfully completed the goals that they established during the beginning stages. Determining termination is also dependent on the emotions, satisfaction, and comfort displayed by the members and the worker combined. According to Toseland & Rivas (2017), it is important that group’s do not spend too much time in treatment, as excess time can reduce empowerment strategies and can cause members to dwell on the negatives. This theory can be applied to both treatment groups and family sessions, as being in treatment for a long period of time can bring up information that is not relevant, therefore causing more turmoil. When a worker chooses to end the group, regardless of whether it is a treatment group or family session, the worker assures that the members are stable and set up with resources to aid them beyond the group and into everyday life.
Explain how you would evaluate readiness to terminate group and family treatment, identifying similarities and differences between the evaluations of the two types of treatment.
When applied to treatment groups, effective termination would solely rely on completion of treatment plan goals. According to Toseland & Rivas (2017), after a treatment plan is implemented, a worker should assure that the plan has proven to be maintained and generalized to other important aspects of members lives (p. 402). Similarly, termination of family groups should assure that there is a balance among the family system, regardless of the environment. Additionally, when evaluating whether to terminate, for each group I would have the members reflect on their time in the group and the progress they have made from the beginning. By engaging in reflection the members can note their accomplishments and strengthen their self-determination (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). For families however, I would have the family reflect as a whole on how their communication has improved since the beginning of the group while also having them note significant positive changes.
Describe the techniques you would use to terminate a treatment group and how these may be the same or different than the techniques you would use to terminate a family intervention:
To terminate a treatment group, I assure that resources were set up for each member so that they could successfully maintain treatment outside of the group setting. I would remind the group of their success thus far and the skills to utilize if they have feelings of relapse outside of the group. Additionally, I would highly emphasize to clients the importance of using their community resources and support systems to resolve any situations in the future (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). The termination with a family group would be similar to a treatment group, however I would briefly go over all the communication techniques discussed throughout each session. Additionally, I would encourage members of each group to seek individual therapy in the future if they felt there were problems to still be addressed or that they needed a more individualized approach to addressing emotions and behaviors.
Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Colleague#2 (Townie)
Post a comparison of the termination process between treatment groups and family sessions.
- In treatment groups, the ending process consists of changes that have been made, individually, are stabilized and plans are made to maintain those gains (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). In the family sessions, when it is time to terminate, depending on how well the sessions were, the participants may be relieved that the sessions are ending. This writer believes that it would be important to end with a safety plan that lists the things learned and/or discussed in the sessions, for future references with the family members. Having something tangible that they can use when issues arise would be beneficial.
Explain how you would evaluate readiness to terminate group and family treatment, identifying similarities and differences between the evaluation of the two types of treatment.
- This writer would begin working towards termination right at the beginning of the sessions. Having the conversations in the beginning about how things will look post termination is important and helps with creating goals. For example: if this writer has a group for AODA, the goal at the very beginning would be to prepare for how life will be post termination of the group; i.e.- how the group members will live, the coping skills that they will use, etc..and those would be the focal points in our sessions. Same with family treatment- this writer would use the crystal ball method right away. If you had a crystal ball that showed you how you wanted your family to look, what would that look like? If the client wants their family to have open communication where everyone feels heard and respected. Well, that would be the goal that we are working towards and once that goal is starting to be demonstrated both at the group sessions and out, we can look at termination.
Describe the techniques you would use to terminate a treatment group and how these may be the same or different than the techniques you would use to terminate a family intervention.
- Termination of group, both family and treatment would consist of a party! Termination should not be looked at as a dreadful situation but as a celebration of the progress and growth that each individual person has made. Resolving any remaining conflicts would be important, as this writer would never want to leave things unresolved. It would be the primary duty for the worker to help each member maintain their motivation, commitment and responsibility to implement and continue to carry on their tasks post termination (Toseland & Rivas, 2017). Having a follow up session is also important, just to check in. This writer would suggest not being manipulated into carrying a group or family treatment session longer than whats needed, as this could possibly cause more damage then good. Being mindful and able to know and/or pick up when a person isnt ready to terminate and being able to identify whether the need for termination is warranted, is definitely something that the social worker would need to be able to assess.
Reference
Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to group work practice (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
