I've recently rejoined SW and have chosen a different group - I've been to a few different ones over the years. It seems that there is tremendous variance between the consultants. I completely agree that ultimately the responsibility is mine to take control and develop a healthier lifestyle, but a good consultant can be a great enabler to that.
My new consultant is very refreshing. She's not too skinny (although has lost over 4 stone on SW), and she is upfront about how tough she finds it sometimes. This makes her very human and automatically non-judgmental, and able to relate to her members.
It's the clapping thing that intrigues me. If it's a big group the clapping just seems to take for ever! I wonder why consultants don't vary it a little. No doubt there is value in the 'round robin', but does it need to be every single week? Maybe one week just ask if anyone is particularly proud of their WI result and is happy to share why, or if anyone has learned anything significant this week they'd like to share... and so on. Maybe, just a cross-section of views rather than a complete round-robin?
The consultant could maybe ask the group which format worked best overall and why, and then develop the approach from there?
My new consultant is a confident speaker and can hold the attention of the group so the issue of talking over her doesn't really happen. I think it's a very tough aspect of the consultant's role as they are literally 'on stage' for that hour or so.
Well, long post but net net: for me, going to group gives me a discipline and means I can't fool myself about my real progress so for that reason alone it's worth going. The consultant's style and effectiveness can make a big difference, and the only thing I'd challenge is whether highlighting every single person in the group is the most effective thing to do all of the time.
Phew, glad i got that lot off my chest.
I've just rejoined as a member so feel even more part of the group now 
