As a BCBA, you provide incredible value through your direct expertise, but some of the most powerful moments of growth happen when clients and families connect with each other. This is the magic of a well-facilitated group session. It’s a space where shared experiences reduce feelings of isolation and peer-to-peer support builds a genuine community. When a parent hears another caregiver echo their exact struggle, the validation is immediate and profound. This guide explores the science and art behind peer support, showing you how to create a group session environment where these connections can flourish, amplifying your clinical impact.
Key Takeaways
Plan with Purpose: Successful group sessions start with thoughtful preparation. Set clear objectives, carefully select participants, and establish ground rules from day one to build a foundation of safety and trust.
Guide, Don't Just Lead: Your most important role is to be an active facilitator. This means creating a safe space for sharing, managing group dynamics to ensure everyone participates, and skillfully guiding conversations through challenges toward your shared goals.
Harness the Power of Peers: The unique value of a group session comes from the connections between participants. Intentionally foster an environment where shared experiences can build community, offer fresh perspectives, and remind everyone that they aren't alone on their journey.
What is a group session?
As a BCBA, you're constantly looking for effective ways to support your clients and streamline your practice. Group sessions are a powerful tool in your toolkit, but the term can mean a lot of different things. Whether you're leading a parent training, facilitating a social skills group, or running a team meeting, understanding the fundamentals of group dynamics is key. Let's break down what a group session is and where you'll see it pop up in your work, so you can feel confident leading or participating in one.
What it is and why it matters
At its core, a group session is simply a gathering of several people for a specific reason. This could be for therapy, learning a new skill, or social interaction. The magic happens when you bring people together with a shared goal. Participants can connect over similar challenges, learn from one another's experiences, and offer genuine emotional support. This shared environment helps individuals build better coping skills and deepen their self-awareness. For clients and their families, this sense of belonging can be incredibly powerful, reminding them they aren't alone on their journey and providing fresh perspectives they might not have found otherwise.
Where you'll find group sessions
You'll encounter group sessions in many different corners of your professional life, and they aren't just for formal therapy. Think about parent support groups, where caregivers can connect over shared experiences and offer mutual encouragement. These are often led by peers or a facilitator and can be invaluable for families navigating a new diagnosis. You'll also find group dynamics at play in your own clinic. Regular team meetings with your RBTs are a form of group session designed to improve communication, solve problems, and ensure everyone is aligned on client progress. Understanding how to guide these different types of gatherings is a key leadership skill for any BCBA.
Explore different types of group sessions
"Group session" isn't a one-size-fits-all term. Depending on your goals—whether you're teaching parents new strategies, helping clients build social skills, or aligning your team of RBTs—the format and focus of your group will change. Understanding the different types of group sessions is the first step toward designing and leading one effectively. Each model offers unique benefits, from fostering peer connections to delivering targeted training. Let's look at some of the most common formats you'll encounter and use in your practice.
Therapy groups
Think of a therapy group as a structured session where one or two therapists work with several clients at the same time. For BCBAs, this could be a social skills group for children or a coping strategies group for teens. Research shows that group therapy can be just as effective as individual therapy, and it’s often a more accessible and cost-effective option for families. The key to a successful therapy group is thoughtful planning. This includes carefully selecting participants who will work well together, establishing clear goals, and providing skilled leadership to guide the group’s progress and maintain a positive dynamic.
Support groups
Unlike therapy groups, support groups are centered on mutual support and shared experiences. While a BCBA might facilitate these sessions, the emphasis is on peer-to-peer connection rather than direct clinical intervention. A great example is a support group for parents of children with autism. Here, caregivers can connect with others who truly understand their challenges, share advice, and offer validation in a safe, non-judgmental space. The primary goal is to reduce feelings of isolation and build a strong community network. These groups thrive on creating a space for honest sharing and encouragement.
Educational workshops
When your goal is to teach a specific skill or share information, an educational workshop is the perfect format. As a BCBA, you might run workshops to train parents on implementing ABA principles at home or to teach RBTs new data collection techniques. These sessions are highly focused and curriculum-driven. Participants not only gain valuable knowledge but also benefit from learning alongside others. This group environment allows them to ask questions, share insights, and gain new perspectives from the experiences of their peers, which reinforces the learning process and builds confidence.
Team-building sessions
Group sessions aren't just for clients and caregivers; they're also essential for keeping your clinical team connected and effective. Team-building sessions are regular meetings where you and your RBTs can discuss client progress, troubleshoot challenges, and align on treatment plans. These gatherings are vital for improving coordination and communication within your practice. They ensure everyone provides consistent care and feels supported in their role. As a supervising BCBA, leading these sessions helps you maintain high standards of care, foster a collaborative culture, and promote professional development among your staff.
What to expect: The 5 stages of a group session
Every group, whether it's for therapy, support, or skill-building, goes through a natural lifecycle. Understanding these phases helps you anticipate the group's needs and guide them effectively. Think of it as a roadmap for your session's journey. These five stages—Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning—were first identified by psychologist Bruce Tuckman and provide a fantastic framework for facilitators. While they’re presented in a neat order, real-life groups can sometimes bounce between stages as they face new challenges or welcome new members. It's a fluid process, not a rigid checklist.
As a BCBA, recognizing where your group is in this cycle allows you to be more intentional with your leadership. You’ll know when to provide more structure, when to step back and let the group lead, and when to help them manage the inevitable bumps in the road. This awareness is key to creating a space where participants feel safe enough to grow and make real progress. It transforms you from just a session leader into a truly responsive facilitator. By preparing for each stage, you can confidently lead your group from initial introductions to a meaningful conclusion, ensuring everyone gets the most out of the shared experience.
Forming: The introduction stage
This is the "first day of school" phase. Everyone is on their best behavior, a little hesitant, and trying to figure out their place. Conversations are usually polite and on the surface as members get to know one another. As the facilitator, your main job here is to be a warm and welcoming host. You’ll introduce the group’s purpose, outline the schedule, and establish the initial ground rules for a safe space. This is your chance to set a positive tone for the entire experience. Use simple icebreakers to ease the initial awkwardness and help participants start building the first threads of connection with each other.
Storming: Working through challenges
Once the initial politeness wears off, the Storming stage begins. This is where things can get a bit messy—and that’s completely normal. Members start to assert their personalities, test boundaries, and voice differing opinions. Conflict is a natural part of this phase, but it doesn't have to be destructive. Your role here is critical: you are the calm anchor in the storm. You’ll need to guide the group through disagreements, reinforce the ground rules you set, and model effective conflict resolution. This stage is essential for building resilience and teaching the group how to handle challenges constructively.
Norming: Finding your rhythm
After weathering the storm, the group starts to find its groove. In the Norming stage, members develop a stronger sense of trust and cohesion. They begin to appreciate each other's perspectives and work together more collaboratively. You'll notice a shift from "I" to "we" as a group identity forms. The rules of engagement are now understood and respected, not just because you said so, but because the group values the supportive environment they’ve started to build. Your role as a facilitator can become less directive here. You can step back slightly, allowing the group to take more ownership of the discussions and activities.
Performing: Making progress together
This is the stage where the magic happens. The group is now a well-oiled machine, focused on achieving its goals. Members are comfortable enough to share openly, offer genuine support, and engage in deep, productive work. The structure is solid, and the group can function effectively without your constant intervention. This is often where the most significant breakthroughs occur, whether it's mastering a new skill or having a profound therapeutic insight. Your job is to keep the momentum going, introduce activities that challenge the group to apply what they've learned, and celebrate the progress they are making together.
Adjourning: Wrapping up and reflecting
Every group session or series eventually comes to an end. The Adjourning stage is dedicated to providing closure. This is a time for reflection, where members can look back on their journey, acknowledge what they’ve learned, and appreciate the progress they’ve made. It can be an emotional phase, especially for groups that have formed tight bonds. As the facilitator, you’ll guide this process by encouraging members to share their key takeaways and discuss how they’ll apply their new skills moving forward. A thoughtful conclusion helps solidify the group's accomplishments and ensures the experience has a lasting, positive impact.
How to lead an effective group session
Leading a group session is both an art and a science. It requires a delicate balance of structure and flexibility, guidance and observation. While every group is unique, certain core strategies can help you create a productive and positive experience for everyone involved. Here are four foundational techniques to build into your practice.
Practice active listening and empathy
Your most powerful tool as a facilitator is your ability to listen. Active listening goes beyond just hearing words; it’s about understanding the meaning and emotion behind them. You can show you’re engaged by summarizing what someone has said or asking clarifying questions. This practice is the foundation for empathy. Creating a safe and supportive environment is essential for a successful group, and it all starts with clear communication. When participants feel truly heard and understood, they are more likely to open up and engage.
Use role-playing exercises
Sometimes, the best way to learn a new skill is to practice it. Role-playing exercises offer a fantastic way for participants to try out new behaviors in a low-stakes setting. For example, you could set up a scenario where group members practice asking for help. These activities aren't just for show; techniques like role-playing and journaling are proven to increase engagement and make learning more concrete. By acting out real-life situations, participants can build confidence and apply these new skills outside of the session, turning abstract concepts into actionable strategies.
Introduce mindfulness and relaxation techniques
Group sessions can sometimes bring up feelings of stress or anxiety. Introducing simple mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help ground everyone and create a more focused atmosphere. This could be as simple as starting with a two-minute deep breathing exercise or using a grounding activity if the energy feels tense. Mindfulness exercises help participants focus on the present moment, which can reduce anxiety and create a better environment for sharing. These small moments of calm can make a huge difference in the group's ability to connect and work together.
Plan structured activities and themes
While spontaneous discussion has its place, a well-structured session provides a sense of safety and purpose. Planning your activities and themes in advance ensures you are guiding the group toward its goals. This doesn't mean a rigid script, but a clear outline helps you stay on track. Establishing clear expectations and boundaries is a key part of skilled leadership and contributes to a positive group dynamic. You might plan a session around a theme like "coping with frustration" and prepare a relevant activity. This structure gives participants a reliable framework to work within.
Your role as a facilitator
As a BCBA leading a group session, your role is much more than just being the person in charge. You are a facilitator, which means your primary job is to make the process easier for everyone involved. Think of yourself as a guide, creating the conditions where participants can connect, learn, and make progress. This involves skillfully creating a secure environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing, managing the natural flow of group interactions, and steering discussions toward productive outcomes. Mastering these three areas is the key to transforming a simple gathering into a truly effective group session.
Create a safe and inclusive space
The foundation of any successful group session is a safe and supportive environment where participants feel comfortable being vulnerable. Without this, open communication and trust are impossible. Your first step is to establish clear ground rules with the group. This includes expectations around confidentiality, respecting different viewpoints, and allowing one person to speak at a time. It’s your job to consistently model and uphold these boundaries. By demonstrating active listening and a non-judgmental attitude, you set the tone for the entire group, making it a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued for their contributions.
Manage group dynamics
Every group has its own unique energy and patterns of interaction, known as group dynamics. As a facilitator, you need to actively manage these dynamics to ensure the session is balanced and productive. Inevitably, some individuals may be more talkative, while others might be hesitant to speak up. Your role is to create opportunities for everyone to participate. This might mean gently redirecting a dominant speaker or posing a question directly to a quieter member. A well-managed group fosters positive therapeutic factors, like a sense of belonging and the chance for members to learn from one another’s experiences.
Guide discussions and activities
While creating a safe space and managing dynamics are crucial, you also need to guide the session toward its goals. This requires having a clear plan but also being flexible enough to adapt to the group's needs in the moment. You can steer the conversation with open-ended questions that encourage deeper reflection and use structured activities to keep the session focused and engaging. It’s also helpful to understand the natural stages of a group session, from initial introductions to focused work, as each phase requires a different approach from you as the leader. Periodically summarizing key takeaways helps reinforce learning and smoothly transition to the next topic.
How to prepare for a successful group session
A great group session doesn’t just happen—it’s the result of thoughtful preparation. Walking into a session with a clear plan is the best way to create a structured, supportive, and productive environment for your participants. When you take the time to prepare, you’re not just organizing your thoughts; you’re building the foundation for meaningful progress. This preparation involves more than just deciding on a topic. It’s about defining your purpose, curating the right group of individuals, planning engaging activities, and setting the stage with clear expectations. By focusing on these four key areas, you can confidently lead sessions that are both effective and impactful for everyone involved.
Set clear objectives
Before you even think about your first icebreaker, ask yourself: What is the goal of this group? Setting clear objectives is like creating a roadmap for your sessions. It gives the group a shared direction and helps you measure progress along the way. Your objectives will guide every decision you make, from the topics you discuss to the activities you plan. For an effective session, try to define one to three specific outcomes. Do you want participants to learn a new coping skill, build a stronger support network, or work through a specific behavioral challenge? Writing these down helps focus the group’s energy and ensures everyone is working toward a common purpose.
Choose the right participants
The dynamic of your group is heavily influenced by the people in it. Bringing together the right mix of individuals is essential for fostering a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable sharing. When selecting members, look for people with similar goals and personalities that are likely to be compatible. A pre-screening process, like a brief individual interview, can help you assess if a potential member is a good fit. This isn't about being exclusive; it's about protecting the group's integrity and making sure each person is set up for a positive experience. A well-chosen group can significantly enhance the therapeutic journey for every participant.
Plan your activities and topics
A structured plan is your best friend when facilitating a group. While you want to allow for spontaneous discussion, having a framework of activities and topics keeps the session on track and ensures you meet your objectives. Think about using a variety of techniques to maintain engagement and encourage participation. You could start with a check-in, move to a planned skill-building exercise, and end with a reflective discussion. Planning activities that directly align with the group's objectives makes the session feel purposeful and helps participants see the value in their time together. Keep your plans flexible, but always have one ready to go.
Establish clear ground rules
Ground rules are the bedrock of a safe and respectful group environment. From the very first meeting, it’s important to clearly outline expectations for behavior, confidentiality, and participation. These rules aren't meant to be restrictive; they exist to create a space where everyone feels secure enough to be vulnerable. Discuss topics like attendance policies, the importance of listening without judgment, and how to handle disagreements constructively. When you establish clear ground rules collaboratively, you empower members to take shared ownership of the group’s culture, building a strong foundation of trust from day one.
Address common group session challenges
Leading a group session is incredibly rewarding, but it’s not without its challenges. From navigating different personalities to ensuring everyone feels safe, a great facilitator knows how to handle the complexities that arise. Thinking through these potential hurdles ahead of time will help you guide your group with confidence and create a space where everyone can thrive. Here’s how you can address some of the most common challenges you might face.
Maintain confidentiality
Trust is the foundation of any successful group session. Participants need to feel certain that what they share in the room, stays in the room. As the facilitator, it’s your job to establish and uphold this standard from day one. A key challenge in group therapy is ensuring this circle of trust remains unbroken.
Start by establishing a clear confidentiality agreement during your first meeting. You might even have members sign a form acknowledging their commitment. It’s also helpful to provide gentle reminders about this rule at the beginning of subsequent sessions. If a breach occurs, address it directly and reinforce the importance of privacy for creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone involved.
Encourage everyone to participate
In any group, you’ll likely have a mix of personalities. Some people are naturally talkative, while others may need more time to feel comfortable sharing. Your goal is to create a balanced conversation where every voice has the opportunity to be heard. The key is to encourage participation without forcing it.
You can use structured activities, like a round-robin check-in, to give everyone a dedicated moment to speak. If you notice someone is consistently quiet, you can gently invite them into the conversation by saying something like, "Sarah, we haven't heard from you yet, and I'd love to hear your thoughts if you're open to sharing." This approach respects their autonomy while letting them know their contribution is valued.
Handle conflict and difficult interactions
Disagreements and friction are a natural part of the group process. In fact, there’s even a name for it: the "storming" stage. This is when members start testing boundaries and may express differing opinions. Instead of viewing conflict as a problem, see it as an opportunity for the group to grow stronger and build deeper trust. Your role is to guide the group through these moments constructively.
Establish ground rules for respectful communication early on. When conflict arises, act as a neutral mediator. Help members articulate their feelings using "I" statements and encourage active listening. By modeling calm and respectful problem-solving, you teach the group valuable skills and reinforce that it’s a safe place to work through difficult emotions and interactions.
Balance individual and group goals
Every person joins a group with their own unique goals, yet the group also has collective objectives. Juggling these two priorities is a delicate but essential task for any facilitator. Successful group therapy relies on skilled leadership to ensure that both individual needs and group-wide progress are being addressed. This starts with careful selection of participants to ensure their goals align with the group's purpose.
Make time for both. You can start or end sessions with individual check-ins where members briefly share progress on their personal goals. Then, steer the main activities and discussions toward the themes that benefit everyone. Regularly revisiting the group’s purpose helps keep everyone aligned, while acknowledging individual journeys ensures each member feels seen and supported throughout the process.
How to measure and improve your sessions
Leading a group session is one thing, but knowing if it’s truly effective is another. Measuring your sessions isn’t about getting a grade; it’s about continuous improvement and ensuring your participants get the most value out of their time with you. When you have a clear picture of what’s working and what isn’t, you can make targeted adjustments that lead to better outcomes. This process helps you refine your skills as a facilitator and demonstrates the tangible impact of your work.
Focusing on measurement transforms your approach from simply running a session to strategically guiding a group toward meaningful progress. It involves setting clear benchmarks, actively listening to the people in the room, and looking at the bigger picture of long-term change. By integrating these practices, you create a cycle of feedback and improvement that benefits everyone involved and strengthens the quality of care you provide.
Set and track goals
You can’t hit a target you can’t see. Setting clear, measurable goals from the outset is fundamental to a successful group session. These goals should be specific, achievable, and directly relevant to your participants' needs. Work with the group during one of the first sessions to establish what they hope to accomplish. This collaborative approach fosters buy-in and ensures everyone is aligned and motivated.
Once you have your goals, the next step is to track progress. This doesn’t have to be complicated. You can use simple check-ins at the beginning of each session, visual charts, or self-reporting worksheets. Tracking helps participants see their own growth, which is incredibly empowering. It also gives you concrete data to understand the session's effectiveness and make informed adjustments to your plan. Using a method like Goal Attainment Scaling can provide a structured way to measure progress on individualized goals within the group setting.
Gather feedback from participants
Your participants hold the key to improving your sessions. Creating a space where they feel comfortable sharing honest feedback is crucial for growth. You can do this through anonymous surveys, informal verbal check-ins, or even a simple suggestion box. The goal is to understand their experience: What activities did they find most helpful? Were there moments they felt disengaged? What could make the session even better?
Make it clear that you view their feedback as a valuable gift, not a critique. When you actively listen and implement their suggestions, you not only improve the group's experience but also strengthen trust and rapport. This shows participants that their voices matter and that you are all partners in this process. Remember to ask specific questions to get actionable insights rather than vague comments.
Assess the long-term impact
The true test of a great group session is whether the benefits last long after the final meeting. Are participants applying the skills they learned in their daily lives? Has their confidence grown? Evaluating the long-term impact is vital for understanding the real-world effectiveness of your work. Research consistently shows that group therapy can lead to significant, lasting improvements in mental health, and your sessions are no different.
To gauge this, consider sending a follow-up survey a few months after the group concludes. You could also offer an optional one-on-one check-in or a "reunion" session. Gathering this information helps you see the sustained benefits of your facilitation and provides powerful testimonials for your practice. It closes the loop, giving you a comprehensive view of a participant's journey and the lasting positive changes you helped facilitate.
Why peer support in groups works
One of the most powerful elements of a group session isn't just what you say, but what participants say to each other. Peer support is the magic ingredient that transforms a room of individuals into a cohesive, supportive unit. When people realize they aren't alone in their struggles, something shifts. As a facilitator, your goal is to create the conditions for this connection to happen. Understanding why it’s so effective will help you intentionally build it into your sessions.
Foster shared experiences
There’s a unique relief that comes from hearing someone else describe a challenge you thought was yours alone. This is the power of shared experience. In a group setting, participants connect by recognizing parts of their own stories in others. This validation helps reduce feelings of isolation and builds a foundation of trust. It’s a space where individuals can learn from one another and receive genuine emotional support. Your role is to guide conversations that allow these common threads to surface, helping members feel seen, heard, and understood by their peers.
Build social connections
Group sessions offer a unique opportunity to build a sense of community. For many individuals, these groups become a primary place to practice social skills and form meaningful connections in a structured way. The group becomes a microcosm of the real world, but with safety nets in place. By creating a safe and supportive environment, you give participants the confidence to interact, share, and offer support to one another. This sense of belonging is a powerful motivator and can significantly contribute to a client's progress and overall well-being.
Develop new perspectives
When you’re stuck on a problem, a fresh viewpoint can make all the difference. In a group, participants are exposed to diverse ideas and coping strategies from their peers. Someone might share a technique that another member had never considered, sparking an "aha" moment. This peer-to-peer learning is invaluable. Receiving feedback in a group setting can also enhance self-understanding and help individuals recognize their own behavioral patterns. As the facilitator, you can guide these exchanges to ensure feedback is always constructive and aimed at collective growth.
Where to apply group session skills
The skills you build by leading group sessions are incredibly versatile. While they are fundamental to your work as a BCBA, they aren't confined to just one type of client interaction. Mastering group facilitation opens doors in various professional settings, making you a more effective therapist, trainer, and leader. Let's look at a few key areas where you can put these valuable skills to work.
Mental health and behavioral therapy
This is the most familiar territory for many of us. In mental health and behavioral therapy, group sessions are a powerful tool for fostering connection and change. Think of social skills groups for clients, parent training workshops, or support groups for caregivers. These settings allow participants to learn from each other and receive emotional support in a way that one-on-one sessions can't replicate. Successful group therapy relies on creating a dynamic where everyone feels they can contribute. When you facilitate these groups, you're helping individuals build coping skills and self-awareness by creating a space for shared learning.
Education and skill development
Your expertise as a group facilitator extends directly into training and education. Whether you're leading a supervision meeting for RBTs, running a workshop on a new intervention, or guiding collaborative study groups, your skills are essential. These sessions create a sense of belonging and mutual support, which is incredibly beneficial when tackling complex topics. By guiding the discussion, you help your team share feedback, deepen their understanding, and learn from one another's perspectives. It’s a fantastic way to promote collaborative learning and ensure your team feels connected and confident.
Professional development and team building
If you run your own practice or lead a team, your group facilitation skills are a huge asset. Regular team meetings become more than just status updates; they become opportunities for genuine collaboration and problem-solving. You can lead brainstorming sessions to develop new programs or use group activities to build a stronger team culture. These sessions are perfect for allowing team members to share ideas, provide feedback, and support each other in reaching professional goals. By applying your skills here, you're building a supportive and innovative professional environment where everyone can thrive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does my role as a facilitator change between a therapy group and a support group?
Your role shifts significantly depending on the group's purpose. In a therapy group, like one forsocial skills, you are a more active and directive leader. You're responsible for teaching specific skills, guiding structured exercises, and providing clinical interventions. In a support group, however, your role is to be a guardian of the space rather than the main speaker. You ensure the environment remains safe and respectful, but the focus is on encouraging peer-to-peer connection and allowing members to lead the conversation based on their shared experiences.
What should I do if my group seems to get stuck or even go backward in the stages of development?
This is completely normal, so don't feel like you've done something wrong. Groups are dynamic, and it's common for them to revisit earlier stages, especially if a new member joins or a particularly difficult topic comes up. If your group slides from Performing back to Storming, for instance, your job is to step back in as a more active guide. You might need to revisit the ground rules, help mediate a disagreement, or clarify the group's purpose to get everyone re-centered and ready to move forward again.
What are the most important things to accomplish in the very first session?
Your primary goals for the first session are to establish safety and set a clear purpose. This is your chance to create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable. Spend time collaboratively setting ground rules, with a strong emphasis on confidentiality. Clearly state the group's objectives so everyone understands why they are there and what you'll be working toward together. While a simple icebreaker can be helpful, the real foundation of a successful group is built on that initial feeling of trust and shared understanding.
How can I encourage quieter members to participate without making them feel pressured?
The key is to create invitations, not demands. You can build structured sharing into the session, like starting with a round-robin where everyone gets a minute or two to check in. This gives quieter members a dedicated space to speak without having to fight for it. You can also pose questions to the group as a whole, which allows people to jump in when they feel ready. If you do want to address someone directly, do it gently by saying something like, "Jenna, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this if you're open to sharing," which gives them an easy and comfortable way to decline.
Besides conflict, what are some other signs that a group is in the "Storming" stage?
Conflict is the most obvious sign, but the Storming stage is more nuanced than just arguments. You might notice members subtly challenging your authority or questioning the group's process. Small subgroups or cliques may start to form, creating a feeling of division. You could also sense a general frustration or impatience among members, who might feel the group isn't making progress fast enough. These are all signs that members are testing boundaries and trying to figure out their individual roles within the larger group dynamic.
