Transformative online groupwork in a large not-for-profit organisation in Australia

Neil Richard Hall; Andrew King

doi:10.1921/gpwk20242228

Authors

Neil Richard Hall Western Sydney University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3045-3612
Andrew King Relationships Australia NSW https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9827-3995

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1921/gpwk20242228

Keywords:

group work, online group work, virtual group work, COVID

Abstract

Community services groupwork significantly changed throughout COVID-19 due to the use of online practice. Relationships Australia NSW (RANSW), a relationship and counselling service in NSW Australia, found that the same level of client feedback and outcomes were achieved using online groupwork as compared to in-person groupwork. Often the problems with online groupwork occur when practitioners use the same skills as those commonly used in a webinar. An engaging group space is created when cameras are continually used, everyone is always unmuted, and strong interpersonal links and connections are facilitated between the participants. In online groupwork, there is a greater expression of disinhibition. While this may be problematic, it also presents a greater reflective space for change. This article reviews what is online groupwork, and the processes and techniques used to ensure that online groupwork delivers similar results as in-person practice. It is then the client’s choice as to what mode of service delivery is the most useful and beneficial to them.

Author Biographies

Neil Richard Hall, Western Sydney University

Neil Richard Hall is Director of the Academic Program (Social Work & Community Welfare) and Director of Men's Health Information & Resource Centre, School of Social Sciences, Western Sydney University. Dr Hall is also IASWG Australia/New Zealand Chapter President.

Andrew King, Relationships Australia NSW

Andrew King is the Practice Specialist, Groupwork and Community Education Manager at Relationships Australia, NSW. Andrew is a leading group work specialist in community services, counselling and health. A respected author of multiple textbooks and training programs, he has devoted a large part of his career to group work and working with men, fathering and domestic violence. As a research practitioner Andrew is known for his focus on generativity and sharing his knowledge using a strengths-based approach. He has published a range of articles on group work leadership in the Australian context and facilitates national and international training workshops. He is the author of several recent books - Engaging men’s responses to family violence (2017) and Continual Change Groupwork – 2^nd Edition (2023).

References

Community services groupwork significantly changed throughout COVID-19 due to the use of online practice. Relationships Australia NSW (RANSW), a relationship and counselling service in NSW Australia, found that the same level of client feedback and outcomes were achieved using online groupwork as compared to in-person groupwork. Often the problems with online groupwork occur when practitioners use the same skills as those commonly used in a webinar. An engaging group space is created when cameras are continually used, everyone is always unmuted, and strong interpersonal links and connections are facilitated between the participants. In online groupwork, there is a greater expression of disinhibition. While this may be problematic, it also presents a greater reflective space for change. This article reviews what is online groupwork, and the processes and techniques used to ensure that online groupwork delivers similar results as in-person practice. It is then the client’s choice as to what mode of service delivery is the most useful and beneficial to them