Group treatment of a scapegoat himself or herself, as Clark further suggests, will function distinctly, at different stages of group counseling. In general, however, Clark notes, "scapegoating," at whatever stage of group process, provokes particular "defense mechanisms," within group counseling processes, that necessitate counselor intervention, in order to re-establish group equilibrium. Clark also points out the importance, for counselors of groups that are exhibiting the behavior of having chosen a scapegoat, of "adopting a progressive stage model of group development" (Scapegoating [sic]: Dynamics and intervention in group counseling (Journal of counseling and development, July 1, 2002) so that intervention methods and strategies may be effectively based on the group's stage of counseling within which the "scapegoating" [sic] is taking place.

Otherwise, the sort of group dynamic that would make possible constructive and therapeutic dialogue, among group members, will remain (perhaps permanently) impeded, thereby severely compromising the entire purpose and intent of the group counseling.