Learning Group Leadership

Introduction What This Book Will Do and What It Will Not Do Taking an Experiential Journey Some Legitimate Concerns A Structure That Goes Beyond Basics Meet Your Authors What You Can Expect Some Final Advice PART I: FOUNDATIONS OF GROUP WORK 1. The World of Groups The Challenge of Leading Groups The Joys of Leading Groups The World of Groups Kinds of Groups Universal Therapeutic Factors in Groups Do Groups Work? Review of What You Learned 2. Your Behavior in Groups A Lifetime of Group Skills: The Good News More Good News: Group Leadership Training and Personal Growth Now the Bad News Practicing What You Preach The Personal Qualities of Group Leaders Guidelines for Group Membership and Participation Review of What You Learned 3. Understanding Group Dynamics and Systems Linear and Circular Causality Systems Theory Family of Origin and Interpersonal Issues Interaction Patterns What to Look For Member Roles For Review: High- and Low-Functioning Groups Review of What You Learned 4. Stages of Group Development What You Should Know About Developmental Theory and Groups So Many Group Stages Stages of Group Evolution Group Stages in Action What to Look for Over Time Review of What You Learned 5. Multicultural Dimensions of Group Work Helping Those Who Need It the Most What Is a Multiculturally Competent Group Leader? Building Strong Multicultural Alliances Until You Have Walked in My Shoes: Exploring Discrimination in Group Settings Start With Yourself Common Themes to Consider in Multicultural Group Work Self-Disclosure Review of What You Learned 6. Theories of Group Intervention Theories and Group Leadership Why Bother With Theories? The Psychoanalytic Approach The Person-Centered Approach The Existential Approach The Gestalt Approach The Cognitive Behavioral Approach The Reality Therapy Approach Relational-Cultural Theory The Narrative Approach Brief Group Structures Other Theories We Did Not Get Around To An Integrative Model Review of What You Learned PART II: SKILLS OF THE GROUP LEADER 7. Assessment and Group Diagnostics Knowing Where to Hit the Pipe What Is Assessment and Diagnosis in Groups? An Example of Diagnosis in Action Models of Assessment and Diagnosis Alternative Diagnostic Models Review of What You Learned 8. Specialized Leadership Skills Helping Skills in Groups Soliciting Honest Feedback Skills Adapted for Groups Group Skills Review of What You Learned 9. When to Intervene in Groups It Is Not Always What You Do, but When and How You Do It Differences of Opinion When You Must Do Something The Power of Language and What to Say: Group Leaders as Language Coaches Words to Avoid in Therapeutic Groups Review of What You Learned 10. Group Techniques and Structures Ways to Prepare a Group Ways to Begin a Group Ways to Build Cohesion and Intimacy Ways to Promote Risk Taking Ways to Solve Problems Ways to Facilitate Task Completion Ways to Rehearse New Behaviors Ways to Work Briefly Ways to End a Group Review of What You Learned PART III: APPLICATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUES 11. Coleadership and Supervision Power of the Coleadership Model Some Dangers and Limitations Basics to Keep in Mind How to Debrief a Coleader and Get the Most From These Sessions Review of What You Learned 12. Critical Incidents and Difficult Group Members: Challenges and Obstacles Common Critical Incidents Interpersonal Conflict Strategies for Handling Critical Incidents Review of What You Learned 13. Ethical Issues Unique to Group Work Special Challenges Major Ethical Issues in Group Leadership Slightly Unethical Behaviors That Create Deception and Moral Conundrums Little White Lies Making Sound Ethical Decisions Becoming an Ethical Group Leader Review of What You Learned PART IV: ADVANCED GROUP STRUCTURES 14. Advanced Group Leadership: Creative Interventions and Difficult Members The Role of Techniques for More Experienced Leaders Personal and Physical Considerations Using Metaphors in Group Settings Difficult Group Members Why People Create Difficulties and What Can Be Done Review of What You Learned 15. Adjunct Structures to Group Work Therapeutic Writing Homework Questionnaires and Logs Using Videos and Films Bibliotherapy and Printed Handouts Field Trips Review of What You Learned 16. Group Leadership Applied to Social Justice and Social Action Empowered to Make a Difference Social Justice in Group Leadership A Point and Counterpoint The Role of Altruism Expand Your Vision: Social Justice on the Global Stae Shoot for Bigger Goals The End of Our Journey: Where to Go Next? Review of What You Learned References Index