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Group Leadership Skills
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Group Leadership Skills
Interpersonal Process in Group Counseling and Therapy

Second Edition


November 2017 | 608 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Group Leadership Skills provides a road map and a practical toolkit for users to lead all types of groups effectively. Drawing on extensive teaching and clinical experience, authors Mei-whei Chen and Christopher Rybak give readers numerous skills, techniques, insights, and case illustrations demonstrating how to tap into the heart of group therapy: the interpersonal processes. The text covers group processes from beginning to end, including setting up a group, running the first session, facilitating the opening and closing of each session, working with tension and conflict, and using advanced skills and intervention techniques to facilitate member change. The Second Edition expands on group leadership skills to include methods of running mandate groups, semi-structured groups, basic level unstructured groups, and advanced level here-and-now focused groups, as well as using psychodrama techniques to heal unresolved grief and loss.


 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Chapter 1. Theories and Assumptions
Sullivan’s Interpersonal Theory

 
Experiential Theory

 
Object Relations Theory

 
Family Systems Theory

 
Brief Therapy

 
Strength-Based Therapy

 
Interpersonal Neurobiology

 
Underlying Assumptions

 
Keys to Success in Leading Today’s Groups

 
Self-Reflection

 
 
Chapter 2. On Becoming a Group Leader
The Development of a Leader

 
Ideal Qualities of an Effective Group Leader

 
The Five Phases of Group Leader Development

 
Three Models of Co-Leadership Practice

 
Seven Principles of Co-Leadership Practice

 
Cultivating Your Inner Leader

 
Starting a Journey to Your Own Inner Peace

 
Self-Reflection

 
 
Chapter 3. Types of Groups and How to Start One From Scratch
Ethical and Professional Guidelines

 
Types of Groups Not Facilitated by Credentialed Professionals

 
Types of Groups Led by Credentialed Professionals

 
Starting a Group From Scratch (I): Program Planning

 
Starting a Group From Scratch (II): Pregroup Orientation

 
Starting a Group From Scratch (III): Criteria for Member Selection

 
Starting a Group From Scratch (IV): Screening Interview

 
Cases in Point: Screening Interview Notes

 
Exercises

 
 
Chapter 4. Fundamental Skills for Group Facilitation and Intervention
Group Facilitation and Intervention

 
Leader as Observer-Participant

 
Basic Principles of Facilitation and Intervention

 
Basic Facilitation Skills (I): How to Open a Group Session

 
Basic Facilitation Skills (II): How to Increase Group Mutual Engagement

 
Basic Intervention Techniques (I): Blocking and Redirecting

 
Basic Intervention Techniques (II): Refocusing and Correcting

 
Basic Facilitation Skills (III): Closing a Group Session

 
Exercises

 
 
Chapter 5. The First Session and the Forming Stage
Leadership and the Forming Stage

 
Leadership Skills for the First Session

 
Special Considerations for the First Session

 
Reflections on the First Session

 
An Overview of the Flow and Time Frame of the First Session

 
Exercises

 
 
Chapter 6. Leading Structured Group Sessions
Mandated Groups: How to Make Them Work

 
I. Structured Exercises for Mandated Groups

 
II. Structured Exercises for Psychoeducational Groups

 
III. Structured Exercises for Counseling Groups

 
Misuse of Structured Exercises

 
How to Conduct Structured Exercises

 
How to Process After Structured Exercises

 
Other Considerations During Processing

 
Various Examples of Structured Communication Exercises

 
Cases in Point: Participant Reflections on Structured Exercises

 
An Overview of the Flow and Time Frame of a Structured Session

 
Exercises

 
 
Chapter 7. Leading Semistructured Groups: Working on Agenda Items
Features of Semistructured Groups

 
Getting Agenda Contracts

 
Toward a More Personal Level of Self-Disclosure

 
Facilitating a Safe and Supportive Group Interaction

 
Facilitating Giving There-and-Then Feedback

 
Intervention Techniques

 
Cases in Point

 
An Overview of the Session Flow and Time Frame of a Semistructured Group Session

 
Exercises

 
 
Chapter 8. Unstructured Groups—Basic Level
Features of Unstructured Groups

 
Leadership Principles of Unstructured Groups

 
Easing Members Into Self-Disclosure by Working on Multiple Member Concerns

 
Methods of Working on Multiple Member Concerns Simultaneously

 
Low-Intensity Here-and-Now Disclosure

 
Baby Steps Toward Here-And-Now Feedback

 
Making Meanings Out of Difficult Life Experiences

 
Intervention Techniques for Unstructured Groups—Basic Level

 
A Case In Point

 
An Overview of the Flow and Time Frame of a Basic Level Unstructured Session

 
Exercises

 
 
Chapter 9. Working With Unspoken Tension and Open Conflict
The Transition Stage and Member Dissatisfaction

 
Culture/Diversity Factors and Unspoken Tension

 
Options for Managing Unspoken Tension

 
Member Negative Transference to the Leader

 
Methods of Handling Negative Member Transference

 
Leaders’ Own Countertransference and How to Handle It

 
Guidelines for Leader Self-Disclosure

 
The Paradox of Open Conflicts

 
Seven Steps of Conflict Resolution

 
The Group Leader’s Self-Care

 
Cases in Point

 
Exercises

 
 
Chapter 10. Taking Risks in Communication
The Norming Stage of the Group

 
Intimacy, Cohesiveness, and High-Quality Communication

 
Self-Disclosure and How to Deepen It

 
Feedback-Giving and How to Maximize Its Power

 
Intermediate Steps Toward the Here-and-Now

 
Leader Participation in Here-and-Now Feedback and Impact Disclosure

 
Seven Principles of Constructive Confrontation

 
How to Deal With Poor Confrontation

 
Group Members’ Reflection on Confrontation

 
Coaching Members to Request and Receive Feedback

 
Cases in Point

 
Exercises

 
 
Chapter 11. Advanced Steps Into the Here-and-Now
The Working Stage and Unstructured Groups—Advanced Level

 
The Here-and-Now Method and the Process Level of Communication

 
The Here-and-Now Method: The Two Tiers

 
Key to the Here-And-Now Method: Zigzagging the Hot Seat

 
The Principles of Engaging the First Tier: Stimulating Group Affects

 
Behavioral Markers for Group Affect Stimulation

 
(I) Medium-Intensity Stimulation: Members Setting Here-and-Now Session Goals

 
(II) High-Intensity Stimulation: Revealing In-Group Perceptions

 
(III) Even Higher-Intensity Stimulation: Hypothetical Role Enactment

 
(IV) Highest-Intensity Stimulation: Hypothetical Grading

 
An Overview of an Unstructured Session With a Here-and-Now Focus

 
Exercises

 
 
Chapter 12. Process Illumination
Process Illumination and Change

 
Ways to Recognize Group Processes

 
Tips for Process Illumination

 
The Five Components of Process Illumination: The Leader’s Course of Action

 
Process Illumination Technique (I): Go After Reactivity Markers

 
Process Illumination Technique (II): Uncovering Hidden Meanings

 
Process Illumination Technique (III): Make the Invisible Visible

 
Process Illumination Technique (IV): Explore the Meanings of Behaviors Engaged by “Dyads, “Triads,” or “the Group as a Whole”

 
Process Illumination Technique (V): Link Here-and- Now to There-and-Then

 
A Case in Point

 
Exercises

 
 
Chapter 13. Using Psychodrama for Unresolved Pain
The Power of Psychodrama in Therapy

 
Basic Concepts of Psychodrama Applicable to Group Practice

 
Maximizing the Group’s Healing Power With Psychodrama Techniques

 
A Detailed Case

 
Exercises

 
 
Chapter 14. Skills of Termination: Completing the Cycle
Dealing With Uncommon Termination

 
The Termination Stage of a Typical Group

 
Seven Principles of Termination

 
Skills for Ending the Group

 
Evaluation of the Group Experience

 
Examples of Looking-Back Letters

 
Exercises

 
 
Chapter 15. Writing as a Reflective Practice in Group Counseling
Leaders’ Reflective Practice

 
Member’s Reflective Practice

 
Applying Reflective Journaling in Group Counseling

 
Leaders’ Narrative Session Notes

 
Using Therapeutic Language in Narrative Session Notes

 
 
Appendices
Appendix A: A Sample of the Group Proposal

 
Appendix B: Pregroup Orientation Handouts

 
Appendix C: Examples of Interpersonal Skills for Member to Practice in the Session

 
Appendix D: Examples of Brief Relaxation Exercises for Opening the Group

 
 
References
 
Index

“Chen and Rybak’s updated edition provides a valuable resource for students struggling to master the complexities of group work. The text’s examples, scenarios, and prompts for reflection will provide much-needed opportunities for applying group work concepts to practice, and encourage readers to engage in life-long professional development as group practitioners.”

Tracy A. Marschall
University of Indianapolis

“The first edition of Chen and Rybak was invaluable for my master’s level counseling students, and given the great attention that the authors have paid to suggestions for revisions, I am confident that students and faculty of group counseling will find the second edition even more valuable in moving students comfortably into working with groups.”

Charles Timothy Dickey
Creighton University

“The authors of this textbook provide both a comprehensive and practical understanding of the group counseling process for both entry level group leaders and seasoned group leaders. Special attention is used to describe the various types of challenges one face with working with individuals in a group setting.  Most impressively, the authors provide an opportunity for entry level counselors to consider their role as the group leader and assessment of personal and professional growth.”

Tracey M. Dunca
New Jersey City University

“This text revision expands on previous available materials, is accessible to undergraduate and graduate students, and has practical examples to illuminate the concepts.”

Jack Flight
Dominican University

“In Group Leadership Skills, Chen and Rybak provide a thoughtful, nuanced, and honest look into the interpersonal relationship world of group counseling and therapy. They weave the skills new group leaders need in order to be successful throughout very real situations that occur in group work. Group work teachers who create, or want to create, inter- and intrapersonal learning within their classrooms and in their students will find this book a delight. The writing style and the content foster the responsibility of the group leader to be the healthy professional there to guide members to healthy change. This book will challenge students not only to work on their skills as leaders and their understanding of group work, but also on their personal growth and ‘self as instrument.’”

Karin Lindstrom Bremer
Minnesota State University, Mankato

“A deep dive into facilitating group process that helps guide leaders into how to create meaningful change through group interaction.”

Susan Larimer
Indiana University

“Excellent information and application for upper-level group courses.”

Susan Claxton
Georgia Highlands College
Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

  • New research, concepts, and cases give the text a more modern, straightforward, and relevant approach to learning group leadership skills.
  • Leadership skills from several theoretical foundations include solution-focused therapy, strength-based therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and interpersonal neurobiology.
  • “Here-and-now” leadership skills over four chapters suit varying stages of member readiness and includes the first, intermediate, and most advanced steps.

KEY FEATURES:

  • Unique coverage includes practical “how to” guidance, including how to lead structured groups, unstructured or process groups, psychoeducational groups, and mandated groups.
  • In-depth case studies, examples of leader responses, and group member journal entries provide insider views of internal processes and dynamics.
  • A road map and useful toolkit help readers at different levels run various types of groups.
  • Coverage of advanced techniques help those more experienced reach their highest potential with conflict resolutions skills, psychodrama techniques, and more.
  • Chapters reflect the natural progression of a group and can be used alongside an experiential group component.

For instructors

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