This group will be capped at 10 participants, which will total to five couples altogether.  Meetings will be held in the community center room number 120 for a total of 90 minutes from 7pm-8:30pm, every Wednesday, for six weeks total.

7. Confidentiality and Trust

(Citizen Advocates, 2025)

They will also view, read and sign the above informed consent document.

(Jotform, n.d.)

Ground Rules will be read to the group by the therapist at the top of every meeting to reiterate expectations.

Group members must be encouraged to provide feedback if they believe ground rules need amendment or addition, dependent on variable factors as the group sessions progress interpersonally.

(Indiana University School of Medicine, n.d.)

These weeks will focus on creating key exercises of self-disclosure, active listening, non-judgement and rapport building between couples and overall participants. If group dynamics shift to criticism, interruption of speakers, oversharing, or any maladaptive group behaviors, the therapist will lead the group to replacement behaviors and interventions that support harmony and the group's rules.

Stage 2 (Weeks 3 & 4)

During these weeks, group participants will hold one another accountable at times for the intended outcomes in group therapy. Couples will provide greater, productive feedback to their partners that is more encouraging, engaging and resolute in nature. If any further disharmony perpetuates, the therapist will intervene, as clarified in the first stage.

Stage 3 (Weeks 5 & 6)

These last two weeks will call for reflections and learned experiences gained in the group format by individuals and couples alike. They will be provides additional counseling resources and literature that aids in any desired, ongoing interracial group/individual therapy. Participants will be shown verbal appreciation for this open dialogue, disclosure and trust in the therapeutic process. Group members will also be reminded that ongoing confidentiality is ethically essential to the therapeutic effect and protection of each member.

• Installation of Hope

  • The belief that group therapy can and will help individuals and couple cooperate, communicate, understand and represent themselves in more attuned manners over time.

• Universality

  • The collective therapy group will relate and identify similar struggles as they arise to assure the normalcy of many human behaviors and thoughts.

• Imparting of Information

  • The therapist will disseminate data, anecdotes and strategies of development and intervention as needed to assist learning.

• Altruism

  • Group members will create a sense of purpose in interpersonal skill building, relationship navigation and aiding others.

• Corrective Recapitulation of Primary Family Group

  • When associations with familial relations arise in the couple dynamic, the therapist or group members will redirect or reframe them accordingly.

• Development of Socializing Technique

  • Participants will learn different approaches to interpersonal communication, empathy, active listening, et cetera.

• Imitative Behavior

  • When some group members show greater skill in an area of relation or communication, other group members will learn these techniques and choices as related to their relationship dynamics.

• Catharsis

  • The group will provide an outlet for all participates to speak more openly and accountably.

• Existential Factors

  • Each person will obtain personal alterations in their understanding of life's greater sources of stress and healing.

• Direct Advice

  • Members and the therapist will assist others in helpful feedback when needed.

• Interpersonal Learning

  • Participants will also consider feedback from others to aid in interpersonal growth as relations to interracial relationships.

(Yolum, 1995)

weaknesses and the effects these have on group members. They explore their own cultural identities and how these affect their values and beliefs about group work." (Thomas and Pender, 2008, p. 115)

Participants will serve the group model most effectively when considering what is currently outside of their scope of association or history. This will help themselves and others feel and think more openly and curiously.

Participants will work to understand what is not easy for them to relate to personally. They will develop interest in what is outside of their cultural norms and find respect for what they cannot understand over time and investment.

Indiana University School of Medicine. (n.d.). TCL support group. https://static.medicine.iupui.edu/DOX/IUCAR/pdf/TCL%20Support%20Group.pdf.

Jotform. (n.d.). Group therapy informed consent form template. Retrieved from https://www.jotform.com/form-templates/group-therapy-informed-consent-form.

Thomas, R. V., & Pender, D. A. (2008). Association for specialists in group work: Best practice guidelines 2007 revisions. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 33(2), 111–117. https://doi.org/10.1080/01933920801971184.

Yalom, I. D. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). Basic Books.