I think the whole process really teaches every group member how to communicate effectively and appropriately. Dealing with transference with other members and facilitators and talking about it helps bring up issues for that person. In addition, role-playing could be very helpful for a person struggling with an issue. I have been a teacher for nine years and am currently working on my Masters of Education in School Counseling. I learned that groups recapitulate the family.
People tend to relate to other members as they do within their own family.
I also learned that groups tend to have a mind of their own. We saw this happen when a particular group did not want to talk and seemed comfortable with the silence. No matter how much the facilitators probed, questioned, and encouraged, the members did not want to share. I also learned that when people do work together in a group and allow themselves to be vulnerable, there is a great bonding and cohesiveness between the group members. Being a member of both group processes and individual counseling processes was a stimulating, unique experience.