Facilitating Emotionally Charged Groups

One of the challenges facing trainers and group facilitators is the impact and appropriate management of emotional dynamics within the group. Emotional dynamics often manifest in reluctance, resistance and/or highly emotional participants, and may arise from: confrontational learning content (such as child protection training); differing learning needs/expectations; previous life or learning experiences; an “I was told to come” attitude; group conflict and personality clashes to name but a few.

This workshop will further develop your skills in recognising and responding to emotional dynamics within training and group facilitation settings. Time will be allocated for self-reflection and the part we play in contributing to these emotional dynamics, as well as examining trainer/facilitator needs in terms of self-care and professional support.

This workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to:

• Examine principles of ethical facilitation
• Explore ways to create a safe learning space
• Recognise and respond to emotional dynamics
• Develop strategies to respond to individual or group distress
• Develop strategies to respond to challenging participants
• Develop strategies to respond to reluctance and resistance
• Identify how their own personal needs and concerns may impact on recognising and responding to emotional dynamics
• Risk assess programs for likely emotional dynamics
• Apply learning to their own workplace case reviews
• Identify professional support and self-care needs

Who should attend?

Trainers and group facilitators