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Post Group Facilitation Reflection #2- Meal Prep Party!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to facilitate a occupational therapy group session on my own. At first I was very intimidated by this assignment and was not sure how it would go. I decided to do my life skills group session on meal planning and preparation. I think this is an important life skill that can benefit people in multiple ways. Overall, I feel like all of the group members enjoyed the warm up and main activities completed during the group.
I began my session by giving an overview of what would happen during the session so that everyone would know what to expect. Then I had everyone go around and introduce themselves and describe a weekly go-to recipe that they enjoy making. I quickly learned that the group was very diverse, and some members enjoyed meal prep and cooking, while others rarely ever prepared nutritious meals for themselves.
After the warm-up activity, I had meal planning and preparation worksheets for each member to fill out for use during the following week. Each member successfully completed a worksheet and shared their plans with the rest of the group. I also had members share any tips they had regarding meal prep that might make it an easier weekly task for those not as familiar with this life skill. Group members shared their recipes and gave each other advice on healthy breakfast and snack ideas throughout the activity.
I think the group session was an overall success. If I had more resources, I would enjoy bringing food with me next time and have everyone practice making a healthy recipe that can be eaten throughout the week.
I wanted to work on my public speaking skills during this session, and I think I did a better job speaking confidently and comfortably during this session because I was more familiar with the topic. I enjoyed this experience and benefitted from having to put my group therapy knowledge to use.

Comments

  1. Professor SasseMarch 10, 2018 at 3:30 PM

    Camille,
    Yes! Well stated. I, too, realized and noted what you indicate in your post in this statement, "I quickly learned that the group was very diverse, and some members enjoyed meal prep and cooking, while others rarely ever prepared nutritious meals for themselves."
    The thing is, though, I actually thought it was pretty awesome that it happened in your group that at least two of the members, literally said, they don't meal prep. Even though it may have been stressful for you, if I had had an opportunity to debrief and teach a minute after your group, I would have pointed out that, having that happen, brought up a very IMPORTANT question and aspect of being an occupational therapist. What exactly is the way to handle having to help a client whose functional occupational performance impacted area is one that you, as an OT, either have no experience with, nor interest in? I really wished I could have pushed a freeze button during the group to acknowledge that we are ALL- as OTs- at some point going to have to help clients with something that we don't really do much or have much experience with...and meal prep is one of those. In fact, there will be times when there might even be a little necessary role reversal, and the client can teach the OT a thing or two about something in particular. Anyway, I thought that this was an area where you handled differences in group members levels of prior experience, knowledge, and interest in your topic in an open and non-judgemental way. Furthermore, I think that the supportive way that you facilitated the group is definite evidence that you are improving and growing, not just because of your familiarity with the topic of meal-prep, but because of the true emerging OT leadership skills. You were, "SO OT" during your leading... made me proud.

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