A counselor screening clients for a new group at the college counseling center. Which client would most likely be the poorest choice for a group member?

• A. A second-year student who stutters.
• B. A first-year student who is suicidal and sociopathic.
• C. A graduate student with a facial tic.
• D. A fourth-year student with obsessive-compulsive tendencies.

Answer: (B)

In group screening, safety and the ability to participate constructively are the main priorities. A group aims to provide support and shared processing, so participants should be able to engage with others in a respectful, non-harmful way and not require immediate crisis intervention.

The person described as a first-year student who is suicidal and sociopathic presents the clearest safety and group-functioning risk. Active suicidality calls for crisis evaluation and one-on-one intervention rather than inclusion in a general group, where the focus is on shared experiences and mutual support. In addition, sociopathic traits imply a potential pattern of manipulation or disregard for others’ boundaries, which could disrupt the group’s safety and cohesion, endangering other members and undermining the group process. Because of these risks, this client is not a good fit for a standard college counseling group and would typically need alternative treatment arrangements before considering group participation.

The other options describe concerns that are manageable within a group context. A second-year student who stutters can participate with accommodations and supportive peer responses. A graduate student with a facial tic can join a group with understanding and flexibility around visible behaviors. A fourth-year student with obsessive-compulsive tendencies can engage in group work, especially with structure and grounding techniques to manage symptoms. The focus in screening is to identify those whose current risk level and behavioral dynamics would compromise safety and group functioning, which is why the suicidal and sociopathic profile stands out as the poorest fit.