In the Hot Seat: Teaching Students Through Experience With Self-Help Groups

This descriptive study examines the attitudes and experiences of students at a midwestern public university who attended self-help group meetings to fulfill an undergraduate social work course requirement and to promote professional preparation for social work and other helping professions. Questionnaires were administered in two social work courses, and self-assessment papers submitted by social work students were used to gain insight into their perspectives related to self-help groups and to understand their personal experiences before, during, and after completing the assignment. The outcome revealed the impact that attending self-help group meetings had on students, the personal and professional knowledge they gained, and the vital role human service professionals, especially social workers, play in supporting self-help groups. The experience triggered a powerful and personal journey where students confronted their fears and biases, gained a more compassionate view of addictions and mental health, and walked away with an improved sense of self-efficacy.