Which of the following is the initial stage in group counseling?

• A. Forming
• B. Storming
• C. Norming
• D. Performing

Answer: (A)

In group counseling, understanding how groups develop over time is essential. The initial stage is Forming, where members meet, get acquainted, and start to understand the group’s purpose and boundaries. During this phase, people are often polite, cautious, and dependent on the counselor to set structure, rules, and expectations. Building a sense of safety through clarified confidentiality, roles, and goals helps participants feel comfortable enough to share later. As the group evolves, conflicts tend to surface in the next stage (Storming), then cohesion grows in the following stage (Norming), and productive collaboration emerges in the final stage (Performing). So the first stage is Forming.