The task of the group leader is to help group participants break down broad,
general goals into specifi c, concrete, measurable goals that can be pursued in a systematic fashion. For example, if Albert says that he feels inadequate
in social situations, and that he would like to change this, the leader may ask
questions such as these:
• What do you mean by “inadequate”?
• What are you doing or not doing that seems to be related to your feeling of
inadequacy?
• What are the conditions under which you feel inadequate?
• Can you give me some concrete examples of the situations in which you
feel inadequate?
• In what specifi c ways would you like to change your behavior?
The group can help Albert formulate answers to these diffi cult questions by
giving him an opportunity to explore these questions, practice new behaviors
in the group sessions, and get feedback from others in the group.