Developing Group Work Skills for Fostering Connection and Understanding in Groups During Divisive Times
Joan Letendre, LCSW, PhD
Friday, April 4, 2025
9:30 am – 4 pm
5.5 CECs
Registration Fee: $125
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and current SSW Field Instructors
One of the benefits of membership in a group is that we are exposed to a variety of opinions and multiple ways of viewing the world and solving problems. In today’s increasingly polarized world, however, we often struggle to listen to points of view different from our own. This dynamic poses challenges in groups composed of diverse membership. Group leaders may also be impacted by these divisions as they struggle to keep a safe space for members to be heard and understood. Leaders must be sensitive to how the many kinds of diversity may impact interactions among members, prepare for how to skillfully manage participation so that everyone is heard, be comfortable discussing broader social issues that may impact members, and intervene in conflict when challenging issues arise. Understanding how to be aware of one’s own processes while skillfully and compassionately managing conflict in a group can greatly facilitate this process.
In this seminar, we will focus on the importance of the group leader’s awareness of their own feelings, opinions and responses to conflict, particularly around divisive societal issues. Development of specific skills that will facilitate difficult conversations will be emphasized. We will address the current larger social context (i.e. unequal treatment of persons of color by law enforcement, anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions, religious intolerance, anti-gay/trans policy) and how that may impact the lives of the members and the dynamics of the group. All discussion will be will be framed within a strength-based perspective.
Several teaching methods informed by participant feedback in a previous seminar, including lecture, small and large group discussions, individual and partner reflections, group activities and exercises and case examples will be used throughout the day. Development of a safe space and allowance of time will offer participants the opportunity to share their own group successes and challenges for problem solving and feedback.
In this seminar, you will:
- develop an awareness of your feelings and become more comfortable in discussion of issues that may generate conflict
- become aware of specific strategies for discussion of issues of difference that gives affirmation to many points of view
- learn to include the broader social context when assessing the interactions of group members
- become more comfortable using exercises and activities that may generate discussion of uncomfortable topic