Basics of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy: An Introductory Guide

Basics of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy: An Introductory Guide provides a unique combination of step-by-step basics of group counseling and psychotherapy and considerable depth of understanding of the intricacies of group process. Students learn how to identify what is going on in their groups, what interventions are most likely to be effective, and when to make those interventions. The text provides readers a competent and effective foundation for their study and practice in group work.

The text is divided into three parts: The Core of Group process and Leadership, Pragmatic Considerations, and The Future. Part I offers a thorough introduction to brief, closed groups, guidance through four key phases of group counseling and psychotherapy—preparation, transition, treatment, and termination—and practical advice regarding leadership, therapeutic interventions, the essentials of training, ethical practices, and co-therapy. In Part II, the book dives into more advanced material, specifically addressing how to work with clients with difficult behaviors and offering the reader structured exercises and techniques they can apply in groups. Part III provides a perspective on the current state of group work and its future, touching on diversity, training, research, and more.

Written by counselors and therapists who have conducted group counseling and psychotherapy sessions for decades, Basics of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy is an invaluable resource for individuals who are new to group treatment and for those experienced group therapists looking for a review.

Jerrold Lee Shapiro, Ph.D., is a professor of counseling psychology at Santa Clara University, a retired licensed clinical psychologist, and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. He earned a B.A. at Colby College, a master’s degree from Northwestern University, and his doctorate from the University of Waterloo. Dr. Shapiro has been leading groups and studying group process for over fifty years. He has authored and coauthored numerous publications within the field of psychology, including 13 books, over 150 journal articles and book chapters, and videos and software programs. He has won awards for teaching, writing, and research and is a frequent presenter at professional conferences.

Lawrence Stephen Peltz, Ph.D., is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice. He earned master’s degrees in counseling and guidance (University of Hawaii) and systems management (University of Southern California), and his Ph.D. at the California Graduate School of Family Psychology. Dr. Peltz has led a wide range of groups during the past four decades and taught group psychotherapy at the graduate level. In addition, he has experience in consultation to managing business partners, developing software programs as adjuncts to psychotherapy, and has served in the upper levels of professional graduate school administration.

Susan Bernadett-Shapiro, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in private practice, specializing in the use of cognitive and psychodynamic approaches to help her clients attain goals and fulfill their potential. After over thirty years, she recently retired from teaching in the graduate master’s program in counseling psychology at Santa Clara University. Among her classes was the introductory group counseling course and she also led groups and supervised the professional leaders of experiential training groups. Dr. Bernadett-Shapiro earned her B.S in nursing and master’s degree in mental health nursing at the University of Hawaii, and her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology.