Social Skills Training: Group Techniques for Persons With Mental Disabilities(Special Issue: Social Skills Training: Support for Persons With Mental Illness)

Abstract

When social skills training (SST) is practiced with a group of persons with mental disabilities, various intervention techniques are needed in order to maximize the therapeutic effects of group dynamics. The trainner needs to develop a mutual aid system in the group. Group techniques are described that can be used in making the group a safe learning environment and in promoting individual training with the help of the group members. Among the techniques discussed in the present article are "pass rule," "observer seat within the group circle," "fishbowl," and "use of sub-groups."