Week 3

           I think that group work requires a certain skill set that is almost completely unique to the work.   I just finished observing children for another class, and just being there made me realize how very uncomfortable around small kids, and I always felt like I would not be very good at working with kids.  I worry that the same anxiety associated with the unfamiliar might come up when I have to work with groups.
         I think that one strength I have is simply being approachable and like-able. I feel like a lot of people trust me and can sense overall benevolence, which is good for me as a therapist, but is also true.  I have very good intentions, especially professionally. Another strength I have is that I am able to listen to people speak and actually take in everything they are saying, and I'm getting good at reflecting back to people.  I think that is really important to show clients that they have your attention, and I feel proficient at doing that. 
         One of my biggest worries, based on previous experiences, is being able to keep a group under control and efficient.  In the past, I had to lead these awfully planned groups of young adults, and the chaos was absolutely horrifying to me. I felt helpless at some points, and I would really like to develop skills that would help me gain confidence, which in turn would help me gain control of the groups.
         I feel like solution-focused groups might be a little more... focused.  Naturally.  So I'm hoping that maybe my listening and clarifying skills might be helpful and put to use,  and that maybe I wouldn't have to do as much crowd control and refocusing with my constituents.