The beginning will consists of two sessions. The group intervention begins by acclimating the members to the group. It is essential to the group development and functioning that the members understand the purpose of the group and begin to create a sense of togetherness. It is the role of the group leader in the beginning to facilitate a discussion on what brings them to the group to establish commonalities and universalize the issues that the members may be experiencing. In addition, the group leader begins to lay the groundwork for interpersonal and intrapersonal processes that will be used for members to accomplish their goals. This includes creating explicit norms, pointing out the implicit norms, developing effective communication, and exploring underlying feelings of the expressed issues.
The first session focuses on introducing the members, introducing the
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Two activities are used in the first session as icebreakers. The first activity is for members to draw three to five things about themselves on construction paper and share in pairs. Then, the members trade papers and introduce each other to the group. Working in pairs can increase self disclosure. In the second icebreaker activity, hopes and fears, group members will be prompted to share their worries and desires of the group. Group members are directed to share their hopes and fears about attending group, being LGBTIQ, and coming out. This allows group members to not feel alone in the situation they face and feel they are “all in the same boat”. The group leader helps members tailor their hopes and fears into the statement of purpose. Allowing group members to define the purpose helps members uncover fears regarding change and empowers them by helping them feel important in the group. At the closing of the session, group facilitator should lead a round robin in which each person shares a positive aspect of