Support Groups: Intake and Assessment


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PROGRAMS AND SERVICES MANUAL
PROCEDURE
SUPPORT GROUPS: INTAKE AND ASSESSMENT


When a client has an interest in joining a support group, the Counsellor will:

1. Meet with the client, discuss expectations of group membership, and explore group options.

2. Complete the Support Group Referral Form (sample follows) which contains the client's:

- name
- address
- phone number
- gender
- sexual orientation
- type of groups requested
- name of counsellor conducting the referral
- expectations of being in a support group
- issues to be explored in the group
- health status (if living with HIV/AIDS group)
- emotional status
- support system
- history of involvement in support groups
- scheduling restrictions

3. Based on the intake interview assessment, either

a) refer the client to the support group program, or

b) discuss more appropriate services to meet the client's needs.

Specific circumstances which may exclude clients from membership in a support group include:

- the client has a mental health impairment, e.g., psychosis, such that the client is unable to participate in, or would be disruptive to, the group process;

- the client is consistently impaired by the use of alcohol or drugs to the extent that the client is unable to participate in, or would be disruptive to, the group
process;

- the client's needs are more appropriately met through individual counselling or therapy; or

- the client does not meet the criteria for membership in a given group, e.g., the person has requested a Carepartners group but is not caring for a person with HIV/AIDS.

4. If the client is referred to the support group program, give the Referral Form to the Support Group Coordinator

The Support Group Coordinator will do one of the following:

1. where a group is full or has yet to commence, contact the client with details on the waiting period; or

2. where a group is ready to accept new members, contact the facilitators of the group who make arrangements with the client to meet and discuss details of group involvement.

Note: When a group is newly starting, facilitators arrange "meet and greet" sessions with all participants prior to the first group meeting to discuss group involvement.