Quick Guide for Clinicians - SAMHSA Store - Substance Abuse and ...

36 Substance Abuse Treatment: Group TherapyThe following issues should be taken into considerationwhen developing a group agreement:• Communicating grounds for exclusion• Confidentiality• Physical contact• Use of mood altering substances• Contact outside the group• Participation in the life of the group• Financial responsibility• TerminationFor more detail regarding the elements of a groupagreement, see pages 70--75 of TIP 41.Phase-Specific Group TasksEvery group goes through three phases; a beginning,middle, and end. These phases occur at differenttimes for different types of groups. Thegroup leader is responsible for attending to certainkey elements at each of these points.Beginning Phase: Preparing the Group to BeginDuring the beginning phase of group therapy,issues arise around topics such as• Orientation• Beginners’ anxiety• The role of the leader