title: The care and feeding of small-group leaders of sex discussion groups.
abstract: This paper will focus on the selection, training, and monitoring of the small-group leaders in an extensive program of sex education. While not explicitly therapeutic, the leadership role in the six small-group sessions held during a 2-day period, covering highly emotional material, demands the skills and sensitivities of the traditional group therapist. In addition, group leaders must be aware of the limits of this experience and the subtle effect of a leader's role modeling during group discussion. The paper will discuss the SAR model, its academic history, and our experience with over 200 leaders drawn from both professional and paraprofessional ranks. We have data on participant evaluation of leaders and have developed a series of concepts regarding group process which is fed into our training program. Qualitative assessment of characteristics of the effective sex group leader is now possible as are basic group and member issues that most leaders must handle. The paper will discuss leadership screening, early orientation, small-group training sessions, practice leadership, supervision, evaluation, and problem solution in this highly sensitive area of sexuality, which while educational in purpose, is therapeutic in process.
mesh_terms: D004501:Education, Medical; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D007857:Leadership; D008910:Minnesota; D012380:Role; D012649:Self Concept; D012736:Sex Education; D012945:Social Values; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods