Group Work Practice: An Integration of Experience, Theory and Practice

Therapeutic groups are commonplace in social and health care settings. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate ways that the student or practitioner can integrate theory and practice and acquire the skills necessary for effective functioning. The first section emphasizes the importance of the organizational context and the preparation of both client and worker, and includes a discussion on pre-screening. The second section outlines the stages of group development and the ways in which the worker can use knowledge of these stages to assist treatment. A new feature of this edition is the inclusion of several case studies that illustrate ways in which theory informs practice and enhances personal experience and professional growth. The book is directed towards practitioners and is written in a succinct style that keeps the needs of the reader in mind. This is an ideal textbook for courses on group treatment in social work and is suitable for a variety of disciplines that make use of group skills in a therapeutic manner.