Structuring the group experience: A format for designing psychoeducational groups

Abstract

The design of an effective psychoeducational group begins with a strong theoretical foundation and evolves into a highly interactive experience that fosters growth and development in participants. This article presents a six-step model that enables the designer to move from a general statement of purpose to a session-by-session design that includes didactic content, experiential activities, and processing. By following this model, the group facilitator is able to develop a psychoeducational group that provides a logical sequence of learning activities that foster cognitive, affective, and behavioral change.