Self Directed Groupwork
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Self-Directed Groupwork is a term that is used to describe a unique approach to groupwork. This approach is designed to empower users by enabling them to choose what type of intervention they want, when it occurs, who it occurs with and whether they wish to participate at all, this compares to traditional groupwork approaches and treatment practices, that disempowers users by placing the power of decision-making into the workers hands, leaving the users with very little control over their 'treatment'.
Allison Prior's self-directed groupwork with lesbians, gays and queers on the Central Coast Campus presented a challenge for the participants and the campus community in general. Allison encountered differing degrees of difficulties, these ranged from the strong hatred of some students to her own preconceptions of the group and it's intent. These she stated in her write-up. While this essay is intended to analyse and critique her work, I have found her work, in general, to be an excellent eye-opener. Her approach towards the practice as well as the theoretical understanding provided a more holistic understanding of the concepts of Self-Directed Groupwork (Mullender and Ward). Whilst the text gave case studies to enhance the reader's comprehension, Allison's research underlined that whilst the text provides an excellent theoretical base to approach groupwork from, the theory can be manipulated and expanded upon to better relate to the reality of individuals and workers.
The main components of Participatory Research are stated in Selener's text (1997). The first component is 'The problem originates in the community itself and is defined, analysed, and solved by the community'...