Leadership, communication, decision making, and development stages all help to make up how a group works. By noting and adjusting group processes as they happen, the therapist/leader both participates in and steers the group toward its goals. Johnson & Johnson show these therapy skills coming from a practiced combination of observing and being part of group process.

A therapist should try to move the group through these phases without seriously slighting any individual member's needs. Corey and Corey presented the following developmental stages:

1. Initial
2. Transition
3. Working
4. Final
5. Postgroup

Other designations include Tuckman's progression:

1. Forming
2. Storming
3. Norming
4. Performing
5. Adjourning

and Klien's arrangement:

1. Orientation and resistance
2. Negotiation and intimacy
3. Termination