Group Elements

Historical Foundatn

Open System
Group Elements

The Environmen t

The Therapist

The Patient/Client

The Activity

Environment

Activity

CHANGE
Patient/client

Therapist

 The type of group treatment needed as well as the

ultimate group outcome are influenced by the setting.

OTs work within inpatient, outpatient, acute, long-

term and community programmes.

 Groups meet once or twice per week usually for a 1-3

year period
During this time there is little patient turnover and

more opportunity for group cohesion

The group usually has 6-8 patients who are

functioning outside the treatment environment.

 The group exist to:

1.
2. 3.

4.
5.

Maintain symptom relief Promote character change Modify long-standing maladaptive behaviour Cope with current life crises Prepare for future problem solving

 Characterized by frequent changes: rapid patient

turnover, multiple group leaders, multiple roles for members in the group
Staff members are the group leaders Pts are roommates and neighbours in the therapeutic

settings
Multiple roles and responsibilities affect the group

members images, expectations of staff, interactions of the group and its outcome

The Second Element

 Although therapists personal history

influences group interactions and responses, the therapists needs and concerns should not be the primary focus of the group.

 The therapist has a repertoire of

professional knowledge, skills and expertise

Has a resource of multiple FORs and

experiences Understands activity analysis and uses specific criteria for activity selection Understands group dynamics Is sensitive to the complexity of interpersonal relations that occur in group treatment

 Therapists role is that of a

GATEKEEPER
Assures the patients physical safety

Conveys an attitude of acceptance, caring

and understanding
Values change

The Third Element

 3rd element in the system Has individual physical, cognitive & psychological

characteristics
Age, sex, & physical stature influence group

interactions
Pxs cognitive abilities will be evident in group

interactions through vocabulary, depth of interaction, level if personal control in daily life & preferred style of problem solving

 Psychologically each person possess a personal history

which has shaped their self image, personality, motivation, attitudes & value system (confidence, prejudices & goals); history of success and/or failure in daily life & home, work & community settings
Determine the roles which they assume & need to

prepare
Roles (parent, spouse, worker, friend) require

knowledge, skills & attitudes which can be evaluated & learned during group treatment

 Thus, all of these characteristics influence the

patients group interactions as well as the therapeutic outcome of the group.

Activities used in the group treatment:

Creative
Require skill performance Promote problem-solving

Facilitate interpersonal relations

Leisure or work-oriented

 Unique meaning for the patient

Utilizes the patients abilities Helps patient fulfill his life roles, patients feeling

of competence in self-care, work and leisure.

Purposeful activities are tasks used :

To assess Facilitate Restore And maintain physical, emotional and cognitive

function

 Activity can provide boundaries for behavior and

interaction.
Therapist states the activity and its purpose. Activities involve role playing. Communication activities are used in OT groups

with the intent of facilitating patient interaction.

Activities can be graded and structured to promote

success and develop habits of daily life.