Stage Appropriate Support and Interventions

cf.:  Systemic Intervention Principles

Forming / Joining / Inclusion

• Introductions
• Define / establish structure and boundaries
• Make expectations explicit and clear
• Clarify group's purpose
• Clarify operating procedures and policies
• Reinforce members who conform
• Assist people in getting acquainted
• Recognize and acknowledge risk taking. 

Storming / Control

• Emphasize, contribute to, highlight cooperative interdependence among members
• Encourage risk taking, engagement in trustworthy and trusting behaviors
• Expect / Accept rebellion, resistance
• Acknowledge, confront, negotiate constructively
• help members establish independence from one another

Norming / Performing / Affection

• Raise awareness of group's interactional patterns
• Facilitate members committing themselves to the group's purpose and taking ownership for group's goals and procedures
• Support the accomplishment of both task and maintenance

Adjourning / Transforming

• Normalize ending process
• Expect a myriad of feelings and behaviors (regression) both amplified and dulled.
• Maintain curiosity about relationship of these to loss.
• If continuing, redefine, new purpose, new structures, etc.

Model Comparison Diagram

Source: ABS PowerPoint presentation, and
"Group Development curriculum, Stage Appropriate Support and Intervention"
(Adapted from Johnson and Johnson, 2000, Weber, R. 1982)