Group Dynamics Paper

Group Dynamics and Process Shifts of CoDA Groups During this meeting I observed many group concepts such as dynamics, processes events, and therapeutic factors. During the meeting there were many processes shifts indicating when the group was engaged or disengaged. This group began in a disengaged manner, with group members coming in late and not being attentive when the 12 steps and traditions were being read. Looking at the group proxemics, the group members were sitting in a circle with about 4 empty seats between each member and increased the space more by leaning away from the center of the circle. While the steps and traditions were being read, group members were looking around and fidgeting and some were looking at their phones. The first main processes shift occurred when the group started reading the literature from the book. At this time, people volunteered to read and the group became more engaged. When the group moved to journaling their thoughts about the readings, half of the group remained engaged, while the other half went back to looking around and checking their phones showing individual process changes within the group. Another
In the meetings, installation of hope is embedded in the meeting structure both at the start and end of the meeting. At the beginning of each meeting, the group leaders asked the members to raise their hands to show how long they have been attending the group. Some members had been attending the various groups for over 10 years, and were awarded coins, but people also received coins for their first day of attendance signifying their first step. Also at the end of the CoDA group meetings, the members stood and held hands and give a message of hope in which they said ‘keep coming back. It works if you work it, so work it because you're worth it.’ These messages instill hope in members and clearly hint at the efficacy of the