Strategies for running groups in addictions counseling and group practice

1. Guerrilla Tactics for the Hostile, Difficult,
Disengaged, and Over-Engaged Participant
David O. Saenz, PhD, EdM, LLC
wexfordpsychologist.com
cranberrypsychologist.com
e: dosaenz@psych-consulting.com
412.853.2000

2. Designed for this guy

3. Being prepared
to facilitate a
group takes
some planning
and
forethought….

4. Things don’t just happen naturally!!

5. There will be a few
difficult moments

6. And some days you won’t know which way to turn

7. One member may hijack your goals

8. Meeting
is going
nowhere-
some
folks just
don’t get
it or
don’t
know
why
they’re
there

9. One member intimidates others

10. Signs your group may be struggling

11. When a difficult group turns you into the….

12. Invisible
Facilitator

13. Angry and
impatient
Facilitator

14. Demanding, overbearing facilitator

15. Chain
smoker

16. How to
know your
meeting is
headed
south

17. Group
members
squawk
about the
little stuff

18. Too much
confusion

19. You carry
the
group’s
weight

20. Everyone
relies on
you to do
all the
driving
(talking)

21. Too
much
discord

22. 1
member
is the
center of
attention

23. The meeting
is stuck… in a
rut
and…………

24. Going
nowhere
fast

25. Be prepared

26. 1st things 1st- be aware of emerging difficult members

27. The Passive-
Aggressive
Participant

28. The
manipulative
participant

29. The annoying participant

30. Angry or
Hostile
participant

31. The
disengaged
and dis-
interested

32. The vengeful participant

33. The self absorbed participant (PT Barnum Law)…

34. Those suffering from mental illness

35. The prima donnas

36. The over-eager
pleaser, excessive
talker… will
do/say anything
to please others

37. The art of smooth facilitation… manages 75-80% of most people issues

38. Essentials for
running a smooth
group-- 60-80%
reduction in self
absorbed…
narcissist…
premadonna…
mouthy… vengeful…
disengaged…
annoying behavior

40. Group
imprinting

41. Most of us have a 2nd chance to
make a 1st impression

42. Share the
limelight
so others
can lead
and
become
stronger

43. Never
underestimate
the effect of a
powerful
meeting.

44. Your job is
not to
uncover
every detail
or
underlying
issue…

45. I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money.
But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a
nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not
pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and…………………………………………..
Know your role

46. Know your limitations

47. Know
where
you’re
going…
have a clear
direction

48. Have
ground
rules…
remind
group at
beginning
of every
meeting

50. Create Healthy Boundaries

52. Know well
that the
facilitator
is the role
model

53. Understand the stages of a group

55. Be calm, be
patient, be
clear

59. The
internal
debate…
worst
parenting…
people of
Walmart
or… best
foods for
high level
guests???

64. How it all
started…
ant egg
breakfast
… blood
burritos…

65. What to serve important guests… ensures your popularity!