Preparing Members for the Expectations of Social Work with Groups: An Approach to the Preparatory Interview

ABSTRACT

The importance of the pre-group phase and of preparation of members for participation in a group are frequently underestimated. This paper examines the pre-group preparation process and describes its benefits. Six expectations are identified that need to be expressed to group members during the pre-group preparatory process: (1) commitment to the group and its work; (2) belief in the democratic/collective process; (3) value of the here-and-now experience and honest interaction among members; (4) importance of mutual support and acceptance; (5) clarification of the worker's role; (6) value of taking risks in order to achieve goals.

KEYWORDS:

• Pre-group preparation
• preparatory interviews