In this episode of the Disability SPOT Spotlight podcast, host Clare Batkin sits down with seasoned occupational therapist and business owner Stacey Manfield to discuss why running group therapy can be just as valuable as one-to-one interventions. Stacey shares insights from her 25-year career across public health and private practice, highlighting how group work can foster social connection, increase motivation, and provide a cost-effective solution for participants facing restricted NDIS plans. Together, they break down the logistics of launching a successful group, covering everything from pre-screening and accessibility to NDIS billing and managing group dynamics, leaving clinicians with actionable steps to start their own therapy groups. Key Topics Covered The Value of Group Work: How groups offer unique functional gains, shared experiences, and motivation for participants, while helping private practices manage waitlists and deliver cost-effective care. Designing the Right Group: Deciding between open versus closed groups, maintenance versus skill development, and the benefits of co-facilitating with other disciplines like physiotherapy. Screening and Outcomes: Why establishing clear selection criteria and conducting pre-assessments are essential for matching participants safely and measuring group effectiveness. Managing Group Dynamics: Practical facilitation techniques, such as establishing clear "business rules" at the start of a session, to handle dysregulation or participants who dominate conversations. Creative Environments: Rethinking clinical spaces by utilising accessible community environments, such as outdoor farms for equine therapy or community halls, to enhance functional learning. Billing and Logistics: Crucial NDIS billing principles, including calculating session costs based on minimum participant numbers, building in set-up/pack-up time, and handling closed-group cancellation policies. Resources Mentioned Cooking Up Independence: Stacey's book designed for participants, support workers, and therapists, featuring session plans adapted from her "Patch, Plate and Pals" cooking group. Done-for-you resources to get started with your own cooking group: https://www.manfieldconsulting.com/store Connect and work with Stacey Manfield here: Website: https://www.manfieldconsulting.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-manfield-manfield-consulting-370a5b101/ Email: stacey@manfield.consulting Disability SPOT is run by a dedicated group of volunteer speech pathologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists with the aim of providing best practice professional development and networking opportunities for members. Membership is cheap... at $60 per year and provides excellent value for a range of professional development and learning activities. Consider becoming a member to network, attend our events, tap into webinars, recordings and a range of resources. Such a great way to access your CPD hours. Our Disability SPOTLIGHT podcast is for members and non-members. Topics relate to supporting our community to achieve best practice in the disability sector.
