
Positive Dynamics
A Systemic Narrative Approach to Facilitating Groups
Margaret Henning(Author)
Bloomsbury Academic (Publisher)
Published on 10. February 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
152 pages
978-1-137-43056-4 (ISBN)
Description
Group work is a common and valuable resource used in many areas: from therapy, education and training, to businesses and commercial organisations. At its best, group work is rich and productive, promoting open and honest communication; at its worst, it can become a source of failure and hostility.
In this clear and engaging book, Margaret Henning focuses on the concrete practicalities of how to make groups vehicles for success, whether in supervision, therapy or self-development, in optimising team function, or in achieving specific organisational tasks. With a focus on the role of group facilitators, she lays out a model of group work based in systemic and narrative techniques generating optimal conditions for groups to achieve success. The book will appeal not only to counselling and psychotherapy practitioners and students, but to those in social work, education and management settings.
Grounded in a firm psychological basis, Positive Dynamics pulls together what is known about creating a 'best possible' group culture and, informed by extensive experience, describes the principles and techniques for achieving it.
In this clear and engaging book, Margaret Henning focuses on the concrete practicalities of how to make groups vehicles for success, whether in supervision, therapy or self-development, in optimising team function, or in achieving specific organisational tasks. With a focus on the role of group facilitators, she lays out a model of group work based in systemic and narrative techniques generating optimal conditions for groups to achieve success. The book will appeal not only to counselling and psychotherapy practitioners and students, but to those in social work, education and management settings.
Grounded in a firm psychological basis, Positive Dynamics pulls together what is known about creating a 'best possible' group culture and, informed by extensive experience, describes the principles and techniques for achieving it.
Reviews / Votes
This welcome, practical workbook offers a rich resource for practitioners wanting to develop their understanding of groups and group work. It clearly sets out and addresses the dilemmas that all group facilitators will find themselves facing at some point, and is packed full of ideas about how to develop the safety from which creative exploration is possible. The book is a wonderful resource that group facilitators will find themselves returning to time and again. - Deborah Page, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (UK)More details
Series
Edition
1st ed. 2016
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 21.6 cm
Width: 13.8 cm
Weight
211 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-137-43056-4 (9781137430564)
DOI
10.1007/978-1-137-43057-1
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
02/2016
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€38.49
Available for download
Person
Margaret Henning is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Systemic and Family Psychotherapist, previously in the NHS, now in private practice. She has been engaged in various forms of group facilitation for over 25 years, and is passionate about the positive effects of attending to inter-personal dynamics in any group context.
Content
1. Why This Book? .- 2. Basics of Systemic Thinking and Groups as an Ecology of Minds .- 3. Narrative Theory and Some Basics of Human Communication for Optimal Group Dynamics.- 4. Group Development Over Time: Setting the Culture and Deepening the Engagement.- 5. Specific Process Problems and how to Solve Them .- 6. Putting it all Together: Some Sample Applications