(Due to COVID-19 restrictions this assignment will be completed via online observation)
Each student is required to visit one full meeting of a self-help or support group in the community or online (video only, not chat). You will need to make arrangements on your own to visit a group (e.g., AA, AL ANON, parenting, any outpatient group that will let you attend). It is strongly recommended that you visit the group during class 7 or 8 after key concepts have been reviewed in the class. Review the Concepts for Group Observation and Analysis and Inventory of Group Leadership Skills handouts. Your written report should be three to six pages and organized as described below. The assignment is graded Credit/No Credit and credit is given if you complete the assignment fully and submit it on time. This assignment is worth 30% of your final grade.
• Meeting Information: Name of organization, location, date and time, contact information (try to get information for the specific meeting). Example:
Narcotics Anonymous “Looking For Serenity” Meeting, Tuesdays 7:30 p.m.
20001 Canyon View Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91351; 800-477-6291; e- mail: WSO@nar-anon.org Website: http://www.addicted.org/directory/item/looking-for-serenity.html Attended May 30, 2018
• Group Description: Description of the group—size, demographics (age, gender, race-ethnicity, SES, etc.), length, specific focus or topic, nature of leadership, general structure and organization of the meeting, etc.
• Group Observation Summary: Write a brief summary of the content and process of the group at the beginning, middle, and end of the session. Indicate what you noticed about group norms, leadership skills implemented, interpersonal behaviors and patterns of members, topics and themes, stage of group development, positive and negative aspects, and any challenges observed.
• Reaction and Assessment: Describe your reaction to the group and assessment of group effectiveness. Include your expectations prior to attending, your inner process during the meeting, your participation (if any), what you learned, your opinion (likes/dislikes), and whether you would recommend it and why.
• Concepts in Action Worksheet: Fill in the worksheet identifying therapeutic factors, group dynamics, group interventions, and group process.
Finding a Meeting: The easiest way to find a meeting is to go to the website. You will usually find meeting times organized by day of week and location. Pay attention to whether the meeting is CLOSED (i.e., you cannot attend), and whether it is restricted to one gender. If it is not a 12- step group, it is recommended that you call ahead to confirm that it is acceptable for you to observe. Here are some resources but please use your interests as a guide and feel free to locate groups beyond what is listed below.
Codependency Anonymous:
http://www.lacodapreview.lacoda.org/wp/index.php/meetings/?d=any
AL ANON—for relatives of people with addictions:
http://www.alanonla.org/html2/meetings.html
Alcoholics Anonymous: http://www.aa.org
Gamblers Anonymous: http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/locations
Narcotics Anonymous: https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/
Clutterers Anonymous: http://clutterersanonymous.org/meetings/
Overeaters Anonymous: https://www.oa.org/membersgroups/find-a-meeting/
Adult Children of Alcoholics (and Dysfunctions): http://www.meetings.adultchildren.org/find- a-meeting1
Emotions Anonymous: http://emotionsanonymous.org/what-we-offer/find-a-meeting/
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): http://www.namisfv.org/support_groups
(please tell me which group you attempted through the chatting box before you start)
