Level 1 Debrief Video

Hello!
Below is my video, enjoy! Can't wait to hear about everyone's experiences!

-Lauren

Let's Get to Work Group Session

   I recently led a group session on employment pursuits with my classmates.  The population that the group was intended for was refugees who had been in the US for at least 6 months.  I gave my classmates a scenario at the beginning of the group in order for them to have more background information.  I really enjoyed leading this group session and feel I could truly use it in future practice. The general flow of the group session included:

• The introduction included group members sharing their name and the country they came from.  I gave everyone in the group an index card with a job title on it and they had a few minutes to write down skills and interest that would be necessary for that job and share them with the group.
• Our main activity had two parts and was focused on drawing pictures.  The first picture group members drew was what roles and jobs they held in their previous country and then they shared them with the group. Then they drew a picture of what roles and jobs they wish to hold here in the US and any barriers they may face trying to accomplish those goals.  They shared them and the person to their left provided them with more insight and potential ways to overcome their barriers. 
• The group shared any commonalities they felt existed with the group.  I was able to summarize the group and share where I saw similarities and give advice on how they can overcome some of their common barriers.
• I gave them resources for their next steps in the pursuing employment.

   Something I feel I could of improved on is staying calm.  Sometimes I get nervous and I want to rush through things and may start to babble and not make much sense.  I saw myself doing that some during this group and I even forgot to share the name of the group in the beginning.  I think with more experience I will become more comfortable leading groups by myself though and that is something that I will improve on.  

   Overall, I really enjoyed this group and think it would be very useful to this population.  I currently work with a refugee family and have met many people who are new to the US and can definitely see a place for OT's to help them to adjust to life here.  I was pleased that the group members were able to put themselves in someone else's shoes and I was happy that everyone fully participated.  They had a lot of good insight and were open to doing things differently than we have done with groups in the past. I feel this group created a safe place for people to open up about their dreams and for others to be able to encourage them in those pursuits.  I look forward to leading more groups like this in my future practice. 

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article Reflection

   I choose the article Effectiveness of a Cognitive-Functional Group Intervention Among Preschoolers With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity: A Pilot Study.  The purpose of the study was to test functional improvement after a group cognitive-functional occupational therapy intervention for preschoolers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  This was a unique group experience because the parents and children were involved in the group.  The parents alternated weekly between participating in the group with their children or with the center's social worker and joining the child for the last 5 minutes.  I really liked this format because the parents were highly involved in the intervention.  They even monitored their child's progress at home and I felt that was a very useful method to encourage transferability.  

   This is one of the first specific articles I have read that utilizes group therapy.  They met the  outcomes they were hoping for and the group interventions aided in that.  It was informing to read about utilizing a group in a research study and seeing how that could be carried out.  I think further research could be done on how group sessions are effective intervention methods so that more people know their efficacy. 

Rosenberg, L.,  Maeir, A., Yochman, A., Dahan, I.,  and Hirsch, I. (2015).   Effectiveness of a cognitive–functional group intervention among preschoolers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A pilot study.  American Journal of Occupational Therapy 69(3).  doi: 10.5014/ajot.2015.014795.

Leadership Summit

   I was able to meet with two classmates to discuss our upcoming group facilitation.  This was helpful because I was able to talk them through my plans and get their input.  They helped me come up with ideas and  different ways of doing things that are definitely things I will consider.  I believe this practice is helpful because you may think something you have planned makes sense, but when you implement it it might not.  This was a good way to get feedback from my peers without having to worry about it being the real thing.  We were all able to provide feedback to one another and I was able to share some insight I had about their group plans with them.  I am more prepared for facilitating my group session now that I have done this meeting.

Reflection on 12-Step Meeting Experience

   This week I  attended a Alcoholics Anonymous 12-Step Meeting.  I had no idea what to expect from this meeting and was pretty nervous to attend as an outsider.  This was an open meeting and people who weren't alcoholics were welcome to attend.  This differs from their closed meetings that only alcoholics can attend and are much more personal.  The facilitator was very kind to us and gave us more information on the group. Typically in closed meetings they have rules about not talking over and over or "double dipping" and that you are open to share whatever you want.  They will use their AA book and read a small passage and then discuss it as a group.  In open meetings the format is more informal and people are free to talk multiple times and openly share, but it may not be as personal.  

   During this session the facilitator opened the group by explaining the ground rules.  He explained how since this was an open meeting the floor was open.  He served as a was discussing a part of the AA book and talking about their thoughts on it.  He used a facilitative style of leadership and led the groups direction but definitely gave them autonomy in their discussion.  I think by giving the group autonomy he encouraged discussion.  He also would ask certain people what they thought at times, which was helpful for people who didn't speak up as much.  There were a few group members who spoke more than others and at times it seems the facilitator would speak up or ask someone else their opinion encouraging other group member participation.  

   I feel the environment of the session was not ideal for a group.  There were chairs set up around the edge of the group and then a lot of chairs in the center of the room facing forward.  It wasn't very conducive to talking and seeing other group members.  The people in the front of the center of the room would have to turn around in their chair when they were talking, which seemed awkward.  There was also a lot more chairs than people which made the group seem less intimate. 

   I believe the session was therapeutic and I could definitely see how impactful it could be to someone struggling with addiction.  Some of the group members shared just what the group meant to them and how it was one hour they at least didn't have to worry about drinking.  It felt like a safe place for the members and has been for many of them for 9, 21, and 30 years.  I think hearing and sharing with people who have or are going through the same struggles as you is very encouraging and helpful.  I believe this group to be very client-centered. It is focused on the needs of the client and it provides group members opportunities to encourage and be encouraged by each other.  I really enjoyed attending this group and was thankful for the opportunity.  The experience was a lot different from doing groups with my classmates and provided me with a great real-life example. 

Building Empathy Group Session: Leadership Evaluation

   I recently had the opportunity to facilitate a group session with two of my classmates on Building Empathy.  I really enjoyed this experience and it helped me further see the benefits of groups.  The general flow of our group session included:

• An introduction portion with a warm-up activity where everyone shared their highs and lows of the week.  I feel this was a great way to open up to each other and be able to find common ground.  
• Our main activity was providing members with a clinical scenario and having them share how they would show empathy in that situation.   I introduced this activity and gave an example of how I could show empathy in my scenario.  We then gave group members time to read over their scenarios and jot down any ideas they had.  After each group member read their scenario and shared how they would respond, other group members were able to respond and give their input.  Some of the scenarios were really difficult and it could definitely be hard to show empathy in those situations, so I think talking it out helped everyone.  
• Then we had everyone think about a time when they showed or when they were shown empathy and had them share it with the group.  After they shared group members were able to respond and identify or show empathy to what was shared.  I think this added a more personal component to the group session and was very useful in creating trust within the group. 
• Another facilitator was able to wrap up the group session and bring it to a nice close.

   Something I feel I could improve on is not feeling as if I have to respond to everything people say.  It is hard for me to not give feedback when someone shares, especially if it is something that I identify with.  I need to recognize I don't always have to respond or give my input as the facilitator.  It is important to give the other group members a chance to respond.  I don't think I did this too often during the group, but I definitely see it as something I could improve on in the future. 

      Overall, I think this group session went really well and it was encouraging to see how a group can be open and identify with each other in just one group session. I think the other two facilitators and myself did a good job of planning and implementing this group.  We split up which parts we would take the lead on and I think that helped the group run smoothly.  Group members shared openly and responded to other group members.  I feel this fostered empathy within the group and helped them open up more as the group went on.  I think I did a good job of giving examples and responding to things group members shared. I believe being open as the facilitator helps people feel more comfortable and likely to share.  After this experience I am excited to lead more groups in the future and gain more experience in this type of setting. 

   

Planning for the Future

The title of the TEDTalk for my last Neuro Note was the reason I chose to do it.  It was called How I'm preparing to get Alzheimer's and that stuck my attention.  A woman named Alanna Shaikh shared with us how she is preparing herself for potentially getting Alzheimer's in the future.  Her father has had the disease for the last 12 years and now has to be taken care of and have full time care giving.  This has shown her that she herself wants to be prepared if she is to get the disease.  The things she is focusing on is her health through eating right and exercise, creating new hobbies, and being kinder.  By creating hobbies that are very hands on she thinks that if she is to be affecting my Alzheimer's she will be able to still keep those hobbies.  She talks about her father and how throughout his life he was a very kind person and throughout his progression of the disease he has remained a kind and gentle soul. She desires this for herself and hopes that if she were to get Alzheimer's disease she would maintain her personality.

I think that this is so interesting and I disagree with part of her thinking.  On one hand I can see her fear of one day getting Alzheimer's disease and seeing how it has affected her father driving her actions.  But I also feel that by living with that fear of one day maybe getting the disease is holding her back from living in the present.  I think it is important to remain healthy and to work on brain health as well.  But living your life by the what ifs is never a way I want to live.  Especially when the way you live your life now doesn't determine how the disease affects you.  I worked with people with dementia and Alzheimer's and many of them had changed temperaments from their earlier years. 

Overall, I would recommend listening to Alanna's TEDTalk to see how you feel about what she says and see if you agree. I think peoples life experiences shape the way they see things and if preparing for getting Alzheimer's disease helps her cope, then that is what she should do.

Shaikh, A. (2012, June). How I'm preparing to get Alzheimer's. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7669900564032199547#editor/target=post;postID=1598683168652652274