“The Use of the Problem Solving Process in an Eco-social Group”

IASWG “ Breaking Barriers” 2024 Symposium Madrid, Spain

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Karla Herrera, LCSW

Authenticity & Validation

Mamadou M. Seck, PhD.

Synergetic & Stimulating

Joyce Roberson-Steele, PhD

Belonging & Frustration

Christy da Rosa, LCSW

Intentional & Belonging

Karen Bensen, MSW

Curiosity & Support

Helene Filion Onserud, LCSW

Ann Garrett, LCSW

Hopeful in Community

Reflection & Connection

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What Brought Us Together

• We wanted to make a difference
• At the time, we struggled silently on our own…

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The Current State of Affairs

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The Problem-Solving Process

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• Based on the work of John Dewey.
• An important concept in social group work.
• To work on group and individual problems/issues within a group.
• Considers several factors to produce viable solutions.
• The original process included five steps.
• A model focusing on an individual’s issue in a group includes seven to eight steps
• It involves sharing feelings and thinking on the part of all members.
• All can participate in a subjective experience with the individual whose issue the group is exploring.
• We followed this model.

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The Problem-Solving Process Steps When Working with an Individual Issue in a Group

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1.     One member raises a problem or issue.

2.     The problem is identified by the individual and the group.

3.     The problem is explored by everyone.

4.     The experiences of the other members related to the member’s issue are explored.

5.     Possible solutions to the individual’s problem are identified.

6.     With the help of the group, the individual decides on a course of action.

7.     The individual implements the solution.

8.     The group at future meetings follows up with the individual to evaluate the results

of the implementation.

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Our experience applying the �Problem-Solving Process

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• Emphasizes collaboration, reflective questioning, and storytelling to address community-level environmental challenges.
• Brings to the surface climate grief, community trauma, and professional identity confusion. 
• Encourages deeper connections within the group and self-discovery.
• Explores the challenges of slowing down and the resistance it brings up.

Benefits of our Mutual Aid �Eco-Social Group :

• Create a space for members to be vulnerable with each other.
• Inspire dialogue in hard conversations.
• Lead to close connections within the group.
• Motivate to take local political action.
• Resolutions to big problems with collective action.
• Building and strengthening community outside the group.
• Problem solve with diverse brainpower.
• Encourage sharing leadership.
• Promote role flexibility.

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Thank you !!!

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References:

• Clayton, S. (2020). Mental health on a changing planet. In S. Myers & H. Frumkin (Eds.), Planetary health: Protecting nature to protect ourselves (pp. 221–244). Island Press.

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• Dewey, J. (1910). How We Think. Boston: Heath.

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• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (2021/22)

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• Kurland, R., & Salmon, R. (2005).  Group work vs. casework in a group:  Principles and implications for teaching and practice. Social Work With Groups, 28 (3-4), 121-132. Also in Malekoff, A. & Kurland, R. (Eds.). (2005). A quarter-century of classics (1978-2004): Capturing the spirit of social work with groups.  Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press.

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• Northen, H., & Kurland, R. (2001). Social work with groups.  (3^rd ed.). New York: Columbia University Press (pp. 191-212)

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• Rao, S.,  Teixeira, S. (2020). The Green New Deal Social Work Role in Environmental Justice Policy. Social Work, 65(2), 197-200.

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• Steinberg, D. M. (2014) A mutual aid model for social work with groups. (3^rd ed.). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge

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