When leading a group, it is the responsibility of the clinical social worker to find a way to enable all members to benefit from the experience. Although some members may not benefit, it is important for the clinical social worker to identify the positive aspects that he/she is witnessing. This strategy may create a feeling of empowerment for the members.

For this Discussion, it may be helpful to review the video of the “Levy” group session again.

Respond to a colleague who identified a different benefit in the video. Describe how the social worker’s role as leader impacts the effectiveness of group intervention.

Response to Brandy

Three benefits that are evident in the “Levy” group video.

The benefit of this group is that they all have a connection to the service and are veterans with a common interest. Jake mentions he is there for his wife. According to Westwood, McLean, Cave, Borgen, and Slakov (2010), veterans that are impacted by serious stress-related injures happen in the first month home, and marital relationships are affected by elevated rates of domestic violence and divorce. Jake is willing to work to keep his family to try to find a way to heal, and grieve. Veterans that interact with peer groups are overwhelmed by the power of therapy-released emotions and guilt- reducing distortion- correcting behaviors (Westwood, McLean, Cave, Borgen, and Slakov, 2010).

Describe ways this group session has been effective in helping the members of the group.

The interpersonal difficulties that arise from exposer to trauma stress can be supported through veteran’s participation in built in peer groups sharing input, and benefiting from social regulation (Westwood, McLean, Cave, Borgen, and Slakov, 2010). The group therapy serves to counteract and confront socially avoidant and self-isolation tendencies from trauma (Westwood, McLean, Cave, Borgen, and Slakov, 2010). The group setting also promotes a safe environment and self- awareness, emotional expression and cognitive reframing to help cope reducing symptoms of trauma (Westwood, McLean, Cave, Borgen, and Slakov, 2010).

Brandy Derby

Reference:

Westwood, M. J., McLean, H., Cave, D., Borgen, W., & Slakov, P. (2010). Coming home: A group-based approach for assisting military veterans in transition. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 35(1), 44–68.