Group work offers many benefits that cannot be achieved through individual therapy
alone. The most obvious benefit is group member validation. The knowledge that you
are not alone and are not the only person who has experienced that particular issue can
foster a strong sense of hope.

However, groups also present challenges from different personalities and behaviors that
disrupt group dynamics and function. As a social worker, you will need to take different
roles to manage the challenges in order to create a safer space for clients to engage in
their work.

In this Discussion, you describe a group you may be interested in facilitating and
potential challenges you may experience. With colleagues, you discuss how to apply
specific intervention skills to address the challenges.

Post a response to the following:

• Compare task groups versus educational, support, or skills groups.
• Describe a type of treatment group you would facilitate as a social worker.
• Explain what professional role you may take when facilitating this group.
• Describe what is meant by group norms, and explain how you would help shape

these norms based on your role in the group.
• Explain what is meant by group roles. Identify at least one group role, and explain

why a group member may take that role.
• Describe a group member role that might be most challenging to you as a group

leader, and explain why.