Abstract
Jan Paul Hook is a counselor who prefers small groups over other treatment modalities. As he says, “brokenness occurs in relationship; healing also happens in relationship” (xii). Small groups offer real-time relationship dynamics that are helpful for healing as long-term, pervasive issues surface in the course of the group interaction. The group offers both support and feedback so participants can address issues in a safe environment and develop more helpful patterns of response.
This book distills over twenty years of Hook’s clinical work with therapy groups, support groups, and groups at Willow Creek Church, as well as insights from other Christian counselors. Hook recommends that groups of between four and ten people meet to discuss a topic—for example, marriage. Groups may meet for a defined number of times or be open-ended. The book is aimed at individual readers and provides exercises they can do on their own. There are also group exercises for small group leaders who read the book together.
Hook developed the Healing Group Cycle with six stages:
Developing a culture of grace, or unconditional acceptance. In this stage, participants tell their painful stories and develop empathy for one another.
Establishing safety through defining boundaries such as commitment to attend and maintain confidentiality, prohibition on judging, advice-giving, and dominating the discussion. The facilitators are then responsible to maintain these boundaries so that the group is a safe place for all.
Vulnerable sharing, now that the group is a safe place for its members. Listening skills such as paraphrasing and summarizing, validating and empathizing are explored. Hook emphasizes helping members go beyond thinking to feeling.
Telling the truth in love, getting the balance right and helping each other grow.
Ownership, where participants recognize and take responsibility for their part in their issues.
Repentance, defined primarily in behavioral terms of doing something in a different, better way.
I have participated in small groups that were life-changing, as well as those that were painfully superficial. What makes the difference? There are gems on leading small groups in this book that could be applied to small groups of any variety. Hook is a therapist, however, and his work is most naturally applied to therapy groups. Some of the processes described would go beyond the objectives of a Bible study or cell group and beyond the skills of the leaders. Hook could make an additional contribution by addressing leading Bible studies with others who are not counselors and working out how the six-step Healing Group Cycle could be used in contexts where feelings and personal issues play into the group dynamics but are not the primary focus.
I found the order of the steps in the cycle surprising. Participants share their stories of pain as the first step in the process, before safety is established. Perhaps this approach works with a skilled facilitator like Hook, but it may be dangerous for others who are less skilled.