Group Work Fundamentals

By VeriScorePrep Team · 5 min

Group work leverages social learning and support to help members change. Knowing the type of group and its stage shapes the worker's role.

Types of groups

• Task groups: address a specific problem or project (committees, teams).
• Psychoeducational groups: teach skills and information.
• Support groups: shared experience; often less facilitated.
• Psychotherapy groups: process-oriented, treat psychological issues.
• Self-help groups: peer-led (AA, NA, support communities).

Stages of group development (Tuckman)

• Forming: members join, learn rules, build trust.
• Storming: conflict emerges as roles and norms are tested.
• Norming: cohesion builds; agreements on how the group works.
• Performing: productive work toward the group's purpose.
• Adjourning: termination and closure.

Worker roles

• Initiator: helps the group start.
• Gatekeeper: ensures all members participate; manages dominant voices.
• Mediator: addresses conflict.
• Educator: teaches concepts and models.
• Model: demonstrates skills.

The worker role shifts during the group's life — more directive early, more facilitative later.

When group work is contraindicated

Acute crisis, severe paranoia, substantial interpersonal hostility that would disrupt the group, or when confidentiality cannot be reasonably protected.