Grounding Strategies for Online Group Facilitators: A Scoping Review on Managing Self-Disinhibition With Implications for Clinical Supervisors

Kerri Bower; Katrina Andrews

doi:10.59158/001c.164676

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Grounding Strategies for Online Group Facilitators: A Scoping Review on Managing Self-Disinhibition With Implications for Clinical Supervisors

Journal article

Open access

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Grounding Strategies for Online Group Facilitators: A Scoping Review on Managing Self-Disinhibition With Implications for Clinical Supervisors

Kerri Bower and Katrina Andrews

Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia, Vol.Advanced access

29-Jul-2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59158/001c.164676

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Abstract

Health counselling

Counselling psychology

Mental health services

online group facilitations

online group therapy

grounding

self-disinhibition

clinical supervision

scoping review

Background The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid transition to online group psychotherapy. While research confirms its effectiveness in promoting mental wellbeing and common humanity, achieving these objectives requires a grounded facilitator. However, the virtual environment presents unique challenges that can leave facilitators feeling ungrounded and disinhibited. Method This scoping review identifies and maps literature on how online group facilitators return to groundedness when facing self-disinhibition. Using a somatic framework—prioritising internal physical perception—grounding is defined as maintaining an embodied connection to the self. Six articles met the inclusion criteria following a systematic search of published and grey literature. Findings were evaluated using JBI quality appraisal tools and analysed via thematic synthesis. Findings Data were summarised into four themes: body-oriented practice, techniques, ethics, and technology. Results highlighted that somatic practices help facilitators regulate themselves by tuning into bodily sensations, while technological features, such as chat functions and breakout rooms, can serve as active grounding tools. Discussion Despite increased research on online therapy effectiveness, a paucity of studies addresses specific facilitator grounding skills. This review identifies interventions and barriers to efficiency, aiming to guide future research and best practices. While theoretical extensions from gestalt and mindfulness-based approaches offer promising frameworks, rigorous empirical testing is required to confirm their efficacy in digital spaces.

Details

Title: Grounding Strategies for Online Group Facilitators: A Scoping Review on Managing Self-Disinhibition With Implications for Clinical Supervisors
Authors: Kerri Bower (Author) - Coast Life Counselling (Australia)
Katrina Andrews (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia, Vol.Advanced access
Publisher: Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
DOI: 10.59158/001c.164676
ISSN: 2201-7089
Copyright note: This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CCBY-4.0). View this license's legal deed at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 and legal code at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode for more information.
Organisation Unit: Cancer Research Cluster; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991246498602621
Output Type: Journal article

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