4.4: Using the Self-Portrait in a Group Setting

When one-on-one sessions with clients aren’t possible, it is also feasible to develop the Self-Portrait in a group setting. While the portrait, serves as a storehouse of information, it also provides an excellent structure for group activities. In other words, each column in the Self-Portrait can provide the basis for career-building activities, facilitating the participants’ development of their own individual portraits.

For example, the Meaningfulness column can be used as the basis for several group activities or group sessions. Spend time discussing such things as values, interests, beliefs, and barriers, and their relevance to personal understanding and career building. To facilitate exploration and understanding of personal values, you could use activities and ideas, such as:

• Value card sorts
• Value checklists
• A collage containing the material things, people, events, and symbols, that individuals find meaningful

Each of the categories within the column can have as few or as many activities as time allows, keeping in mind the group’s needs. Interests, beliefs, and values can be explored in many creative ways. As the activities are implemented and personal information is gathered, the portrait can be developed by the client, either alone or with guidance from a facilitator. The same holds true for all the columns. Visioning exercises can be used to help individuals look at goals.

In addition to group activities, the facilitator can coach and prompt individuals as they add information to the portrait. Individuals may need some help organizing and storing information. At the end of a value activity, you may want to lead the individuals to think about their findings in relation to the Self-Portrait by saying, “Now that you’ve looked at some of the things you find meaningful in life, and listed some of these values, try to think about which ones are most important to you. Which values do you think are more work-related? Are any very strong for you? Take out your Self-Portrait sheets and add the values to the Meaningfulness column.”

Another way to develop the Self-Portrait in a group is to lead participants through a series of group interviews. You can structure these interviews in the same way as you would individual interviews. Similar questioning techniques can be used to help individuals identify and organize the necessary information.

In this way, group members will already have some insight into themselves and an understanding of the various categories. If the group is particularly capable, you could distribute interview questions to the clients for each of the categories listed in the columns and then ask them to interview each other in pairs. Each partner asks questions and jots down information pertaining to the other.

Demonstrating the process in front of the group ahead of time would be helpful.

The Self-Portrait format may need to be tailored or altered to better meet the needs of the group, as well as to include all the information you may want to compile for each individual. This may mean expanding a section, delving more thoroughly into some areas, stating some things more specifically or focusing on areas of particular significance. For example, you may want to include a column or category in the Activities section where specific school and coursework credits are listed. Modify the Self-Portrait to meet your and your client’s needs.

Developing the Self-Portrait in groups can be very useful and effective. Often, participants benefit from group interaction and from sharing their portraits with others. Don’t be afraid to use your creativity to adapt the Self-Portrait to meet the needs of the group.