Awakening Moment
About me
- First name: CHUA KEE SHIEN
- Faculty: A15HA0020
- Student ID: A15HA0020
- Display name: CHUA KEE SHIEN
CHUA KEE SHIEN's friends
Appreciate to have Dr. Mohd Nasir Bin Masroom as Group Counselling lecturer in this semester
1st Week – Reflection on Learning Introduction to Group Counselling
My ambition is to be a school counselor in future. There are many types of counselling, group counselling is one of them. Before class, my lecturer asked us to set the expectations about what we want to know from this subject. It had helped me to think deeper and desired to know more as I had set the goal and expectation for this class.
In this class, I get to know that counselor is not only the one who can lead the group, but is anyone who in a helping, teaching or supervisory role is allowed to conduct the group as well. Moreover, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of group counselling as well as compared it with individual counselling. Here, after the discussion, I got to know when and what situation we going to use group counselling and individual counselling. Also, I had learned about the differences between many types of group with their different purpose and direction.
2nd Week – Reflection on Learning Group Counselling Leadership Style and Stages of Groups
Which one is the best between group counselling and individual counselling? This is truly interesting question be a matter worth pondering. In the chapter of group counselling leadership style, it had mentioned that there are 4 core beliefs of therapy. One of the core beliefs that had impressed me deeply, that is, helper is responsible for therapy but not definitely for the outcome. In other words, process helper is responsible in applying right theory and diverse the skill in helping process. If helper has already done her best, then she should not feel guilty even though the client has no changed as you expected after helping session. Do not let someone else’s problem to become our own responsibilities.
Furthermore, I learned that what kind of the leadership style should be used by the helper is depend on the purpose of group. Also, there are two types of leadership style can be used by helper in leading the group, namely leader-directed approach and group-directed approach. From this class, I learned that as a helper is not only to be a good listener, but also clearly understand the situation to think what kind of leadership style to be used in leading the group. Moreover, as a group helper has to identify the potential group problem such as client has no give cooperation in group, attitudes of clients in group discussion and so on in order to avoid interruption happened in helping sessions.
On the other hands, in another chapter I learned about the three stages of groups, namely beginning stage, working stage, and closing stage. As a helper, she has to clearly define the direction and objective of the group as well as build rapport with each client in the beginning stage. It is worth for spending much time on doing it. This is because starting point is very important and it enables the helping session win at the starting point. Also, a good starting point in helping session can help helper to focus on relevant issues during the working stage.
3rd Week – Reflection on Learning group process and therapeutic forces
How do you define group process in group counselling? Group counselling cannot without interaction. There are three types of interaction in group process which are leader to member, member to leader, and member to member. The class I attended made me realize that helper needs to pay more attention on two issues in group process.
First of all, as a group leader who needs to identify group dynamic during the sessions. For example, helper has to observe who do not involve in the discussion by keeping silent or aware that some members who only talk to the leader or selected members instead of to the whole group. Helper has to change the group dynamics immediately by leading them to group cohesive or getting members to address the entire group. Next, in the group process, leader should not immediately give feedback to the member who talking, rather encourages other members comment about it. Although client might expect helper to give the best solution or answer, but helper needs to reserve it. This is because we believed that the best solution is come from client himself. Helper need to help client to think the solution by analyzing the problem rather than directly give the solution to them.
In the chapter of therapeutic forces, I realized that counselling is back to the basic of human being. The basic of human being such as acceptance, non-judgmental, congruence, unconditional positive regard, empathy, trustworthy, and so on. When these forces are absent in group counselling, members will be more likely to be withdrawn or show negative attitude to group. I found student presentation is more helpful and effective with the clarification of lecturer, as it provided a platform for students to present their idea and understanding as well as lecturer can immediately do correction when student has misinterpreted. This learning style has more impact on me. Simultaneously, students can exchange knowledge with each other and may gain more different perspectives.
4th Week – Reflection on Learning Clarify purpose of Group and Planning in Group Counselling
As mentioned in week 2 reflection, a good starting point with clearly stating out the objectives and directions in helping session can help helper to focus on relevant issues during the working stage. It does not call as a group if a group has no purpose rather it is known as social gathering. The way for helper to determine the purpose of group is gather information about member’s need. In my opinion, despite how great the group objective is, but it is in vain if the objective does not fulfill the need of member. Furthermore, helper as a group leader cannot assume that members have already understood the purpose of group. This is because some of the members will attend to the group is because of others reason. So, as a group leader is not only need to clearly clarify the purpose of group, but also need to deliver the message to the members.
Planning is existed with details. Sometimes, overlooked details are following by trouble, even in planning group counselling. For example, if group leader has no identify which groups of student should be the members in group counselling with the topic of puberty during adolescence, rather with the group with mixed-gender. Consequently, the group will be no effective due to most of the student will shy to share, especially share their idea of this topic in front of opposite gender to them. So, leader need to deeply think about the details in designing the group.
5th weeks - Reflection on Learning of Group Counselling
Recently, we need to do an assignment with recording a video about group counselling. In the class, lecturer explained what to do with the planning for each stage of the group counselling session with using some examples. After the explanation, I have more clearly understood what interesting activities should be planned and included in the group counselling session so that the session can run smoothly. The activities must be relevant to the objective of group counselling. Moreover, my group members and I get to know how to cooperate with each other and takes the role of leader or co-leaders in the group counselling video. I learned that everything we do should not be extreme, but be neutral.
6th Week – Reflection on Group counselling Class – Pregroup Planning and Big-picture planning
Pre-group planning is considering the number of session, who should be the member, The number of session is determined by members or situation such as length of school term, needs of members or the information. Some of the groups such as assertiveness-training, parenting, childbirth and education groups need to set specific number of sessions, whereas support group, growth group, and counselling therapy without set number of sessions.
Usually frequency of meeting is determined by leader. Leader should consider time of day and frequency of meeting. Leader should not lead more than one group a day, if there is no choice, then only maximum should be three. The time of meeting must be available for leader and member. The purpose of group, time constraint, and setting are usually as the guideline for leader to determine membership.
In the pre-planning planning, screening is important for leader to ensure the group is effective because not everyone is suitable to all groups as well as need to eliminate the negative, hostile or inappropriate member to join the group. There are several ways to do screening, such as personal interview, written screening, screening by referral sources, screening after the group has begun. Among the procedural options for screening, personal interview is the best screening method as it directly face to face deal with the candidate and give opportunities for potential candidate to ask questions. However, there are certain groups are need no screening, which are task group that compulsory everyone to involve in the group as well as education or discussion group that consist general information.
Furthermore, big-picture planning is one of the pre-group planning. Big-picture planning allows leader to get overall picture of what needs to be covered in the group as well s prioritize the topics to gain which one is the most important. Then only leader can differentiate which topic should be mentioned in the beginning stage and which topic is unnecessary to be bring out in group.
7th Week – Reflection on Group Counselling Class – The beginning stage and beginning phase
First impression is very important as it determines how others response in next. Same, leader begins the group with boring, inappropriately uses a formal businesslike manner, opening with mini-lecture and spent too long to discuss on meeting time, rules, and frequency of meetings, or introduction of every member too long that make members are most likely will not join the group anymore. So, the way of begin the first session of group is most important factor that determine whether the members will stay in the group.
Not only leader him/herself need to be consisting good helper characteristics such as positive regard, trust and so on, but also need to consider about how to control the tone of the group and the comfort level of members by conducting some exercises for opening the first session. Moreover, leader needs to help member get acquainted by remembering each other name. It can help members feel more at ease. There are several ways that can be conducted by leader to remember name such as ”repeat round”, “introduction Dyad”, “Repeated Dyad” and so on. Leader should make sure that introduction will not take more than 5 minutes. Also, the kinds of introduction will be used is depend on the size of group.
Moreover, setting a positive tone is more important in every first session, especially for non-voluntary group. Positive atmosphere includes leader’s enthusiasm and members’ comfort and trust, cutting off negative interaction, shifting focus and focus on interesting topics. In order to ensure positive tone in group, leader should get everyone to share, be enthusiastic, be warm and inviting, and be creative for non-voluntary group.
Leader should clarify explain the purpose of group, the role of leader as well as the group rules to the members. Also, leader should clarify out what is the expectation of members toward the group, the comfort level of members and assessing their interaction style so that the group counselling can run smoothly and able to adjust the plan.
9th Week - Reflection on Group Counselling Class- Exercise
Exercise in group counselling as defined as when the leader directs the behaviour, discussion or attention of the group member by using specific activity. When conducting the exercise, leader should consider about members’ cultural background, age level and needs of group. Moreover, every exercise must have its purpose and relevant to the objective, rather than simply conducting it.
Table shows the reasons/ advantages of using exercise in group as well as the example of exercises.
|
Reason/ Advantage of exercise in group counselling |
Explanation and example of exercise |
|
1. Increase comfort level |
-reduce anxiety Dyads – prepare to discuss personal topic Written exercise – know what to say, more comfortable to read what they wrote |
|
2. Leader gains useful information |
Rounds – use single word to describe… that can help leader focus the group Draw out idea A thing that represent themselves |
|
3. create discussion and focus the group |
-increase member participation -stimulate member interest and energy -make concept more visual and concrete -get member focus on topic |
|
4. shift the focus |
-when new topic is needed |
|
5. Deepen the focus |
-member can gain insight into themselves -asked to share/ experience something at more intense level |
|
6. Provide experiential learning |
- act it out rather than merely discuss it -explore issue by acting out the theme |
|
7. Provide fun and relaxation * don’t too much |
When group need a change of pace Fun exercise = pass the mask Relaxation exercise= group massage/ a series of relaxation step |
When to use exercise:
|
1. When beginning a new group |
e.g: Opening name-and-info round reason to use: help member get focus on being in the group as -member often not focus on the task -nervous and unsure -something concern them at work -thinking something that just happened before that |
|
2. when open subsequent group session |
I learned that exercise can be meaningful if only members spent time for personalizing and processing the exercise, rather than participate one exercise after another without discuss the content or result of the exercise. In other words, the exercise is meant to member when member is able to understand the purpose of exercise and gain insight from it.
Moreover, we were divided into different groups and each group is going to design exercise based on different kinds of exercises such as written exercise, movement exercise, rounds, dyads and triads, trust exercise and so on that assigned by lecturer. We have the opportunity to use our creativity to design the exercise, and then present the idea in class. After that, whole class decided together which exercise is more suitable to be used for helping and dealing with pregnant young ladies.
Meaningful Experience in C&C Event 25/4
Reflection on 2CT Festival 2018
I appreciated that I can be one of the coaches to in charge Chinese Traditional Dance. Before I choose to involve in multicultural dance, I had considered and worried that dancing might consume my time and energy in preparation and practice compared to other activities. However, I was inspired with a short sentence with: “The whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” In other words, the whole body can work well only if every part of the body together works out its own unique function. It reminds me that every one of us needs to function according to the potential we have and utilize it to contribute the success of the program, rather than to be a free-rider. Therefore, I decided to become one of the dancers because I realized that I can contribute more ideas based on my past experience in Chinese Traditional Dance as well as know where to borrow the fans, transitional umbrellas and costumes.
Due to these advantages, I became one of the coaches in choreographic Chinese Traditional Dance. I learned that critical and creative thinking is very important for helping us to come out with a strategy. Also, work smart is more important than work hard in planning and doing things. In this event, we were required to perform 10 minutes multicultural dance with one and a half months of preparation. We do not only need to conduct this event, but we have other assignments and Final Year Project Research to do as well. So, we came out with a strategy as the solution in meeting in order to have an awesome performance, at the same time, we can also save our time and energy to do other things. We had divided into 3 dancing groups and each group in charge different type of dance, which are Malay Dance, Chinese Dance, and India Dance. Each group only needs to perform a particular traditional dance for 2 to 3 minutes rather than perform all cultural dance for 10 minutes. This strategy had success to help us efficient in preparation and well done in performance.
The main challenge I faced is some of them are the first time in learning Chinese Traditional Dance. It indicated that they are very new in dancing Chinese Traditional Dance as well as they need more time to learn certain movement and techniques such as the way holding Chinese fans. As a coach, I need to put other dancers in consideration while I am choreographing the dancing steps. Because of these considerations, I had to make sure the dancing steps are simple so that other dancers can easily learn it and enjoy in dancing, rather than adding on their burden by spending more time to catch it up since they have other things to do. Meanwhile, I have to make sure the attraction of overall the Chinese Traditional Dance from the audience, so I had played strategy on the formation that can beautify the overall dance, even though the dancing steps are simple. Also, I had watched some Chinese traditional dance videos to get more inspiration and ideas for dancing steps before the dance practice. Sometimes I might lack idea in thinking the dancing steps, but my teammates are willing to contribute their ideas. In other words, the dancing steps not only come from me, but other dancers also contributed their ideas in this choreographic. Because of everyone’s contribution, the dance only can be performed perfectly.
Furthermore, the creative and critical think I have applied in this process is open-minded to others’ idea and try to integrate all the good practical ideas, rather than persisting with my own idea and perceiving it is the best. Moreover, I had utilized my critical thinking to define out the hidden problem in the 10 minutes of cultural dance. The problem I found is our origin plan of this 10 minutes dance did not integrate all the cultures in one to represent Malaysia culture, rather every cultural dance is separately represented its own race and identity. So, before I shared the problem in group, I briefly came out with a plan of choreographic to integrate all culture in the last song of dance, which is “Joget Malaysia”. This is because I would like to not only reveal the problem, but also I want to give a clear picture of how the problem can be solved in order to easier persuade all dancers to agree with me.
Last but not least, a big lesson I learned from this event is a little contribution can make a big difference. Everyone should not underestimate the impact of changes that she can make to the group. Meanwhile, everyone should not over-confident with own idea that leads someone to be close-minded to reject other opinions. A week before the event, I came out with an idea that can integrate all cultural elements together to make the “Joget Dance Malaysia” be more creative. In the beginning, I was struggling whether want to share out this idea with other dancers since it seems like we have no enough time to learn the new steps. Once I shared my idea and explain the reason to them, surprisingly they agreed with me. Then, we contribute ideas together in thinking of the dancing steps for “Joget Malaysia”, rather than me alone think about it. It was inspiring me that a successful and perfect work or performance has not come from a person, but is come from a group of people.
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AZLINEER BT SARIP
21 May 2018, 9:13 PM
Love this picture - you look stunning!
14th Week - Reflection on Group Counselling Class – Cutting-off
One of my weaknesses is to fear of interrupting or hurting people. Cutting off is an important skill need to be learned by group leader to stop, block or intervene someone from talking in group when necessary. The purpose of stopping someone from talking is not aim to dominate the group, rather is want to protect other members from attacking or negative comment, give chance for other members to share or to move the group in better direction. There are two common situations that leader to cutting-off, whenever member is storytelling which not related to his or her personal thing and saying something inappropriate.
There are 4 consideration while using cutting-off, namely timing, use of voice, clarifying and nonverbal signal. Leader should stop him/her in right timing, which is before the clients ramble too long or giving unhelpful advice. Due to every situation is different, so there is no exactly timing for leader to stop the conversation. Rather, the cutting off skill is learned from the experience and feedback from member. After cutting off, leader should explain immediately or after the session about why they cut off in order to avoid client misunderstanding such as perceived that they are not allowed to share or their opinions are not important as well as eliminate their anger and confusion.
Moreover, leader can use either verbal or non-verbal to stop member from talking. With using verbal, leader should caution their tone of voice while cutting-off. Leader should remember that most of the members will give unhelpful advice is because they might not understand or have not yet learned how to give constructive advice. So, leader should remind himself/herself about this as well as the purpose of cutting off is not aim to criticize or humiliate the member. I believe that this mind set will indirectly enable leader to avoid use of voice that seems critical or angry while stopping the member from talking. On the other hand, leader can use their non-verbal to stop client from talking by avoiding eye contact, using his hand as signal to stop client or slight gesture.
Through the role play in class, I have learned and more understand how to apply 3 techniques of cutting off in different situation such as when someone is storytelling rather than expressing his/her own feeling or when the member is saying something hurtful. The techniques include cut and stay with person, cut and stay with topic, or cut and leave the person and topic. 3 techniques have different functions in different situations. These techniques are allow leader to be effective in helping client go deeper to his feeling and thought, rather than keep stopping at the surface of problem.
15th Week - Reflection on Group Counselling Class – Drawing Out
Drawing Out skill as opposed to cutting off skill, which is to encourage silence client to share opinion and invite them to talk. There are few reasons explain why client be silent in the group, such as because of fear or anxiety to share, they are still in the thinking process, their personality especially who are introvert, not focus in the group, not prepared to share in the group and so on. One of the purposes to have group counselling is to get different opinions by sharing information with each other within the group. If there is silence client, it might not effective to achieve the goal. So, the group leader should help the member to have greater involvement and help members who have the difficult to share in the group by using drawing out skill.
There are directly and indirectly ways to draw out members. The direct way is leader asks and invite the member to share if the members seem like to comment. On the other hand, the indirect way of drawing out is to call 2 or 3 members to share first, instead of directly asking the silence member to share. After 2 or 3 members finished to share, then the only leader turn to the silence member. Moreover, the leader can use eye contact, the tone of voice to encourage the member to share.
Furthermore, the leader can use exercises to make member be more comfortable to draw out and share. For example, member who is introvert might not get used to share in the big group, so, the leader can use dyad to break into a smaller group so that the member can be comfort and easy to share.