Working with families, carers, groups and communities is something all social work students must prepare for. Written to guide you through these varied and complex groupwork situations, this book explores the knowledge, skills and values required for groupwork practice. Divided into two parts, the first provides an understanding of groupwork, its concepts and contexts, while the second takes you step-by-step through groupwork practice, from planning and preparation, to starting out, facilitating and finally ending work with a group. Different service contexts including work with children, with users who have learning disabilities, in mental health settings, and more, are covered throughout the book, with case studies, activities and reflective opportunities helping you to understand the complexities of these contexts. This text is a comprehensive and contemporary guide to groupwork in social work today.

Group Work: Theories and Practices is the first text on the subject written by an Indian author. Group work method is widely used in the Asian subcontinent, particularly in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It has emerged as a vital strategy for empowering women, and helping children, youth, and the elderly in a variety of settings. The text provides insight into the theories and assumptions offered by social science research globally. It also suggests guidelines for using them, keeping in mind the practice realities in developing countries such as India. Students, teachers, and professionals in social work, adult education, rural and child development, and those working with groups will find this book helpful in accomplishing their objectives.

A Theory of Groupwork Practice is based on the results of the search for the fundamental similarities in the practice of all groupworkers in whatever profession or setting they may operate. The theoretical concepts used by groupworkers may be widely variant, but what workers actually do when in interaction with the groups they create or adapt shows remarkable similarities which are deeper and more influential than the concepts in promoting or preventing successful group outcomes. This book presents the foundations of a coherent theory of group work practice based on these similarities.

This book presents the wide range and diversity of effective group work practice in today’s troubled society. Representing the best in current practice, chapters discuss modern group work and contain rich examples of practice and theory. Group Work Practice in a Troubled Society examines the social realities in which group work is now practiced and addresses present-day social issues and problems. Contributing authors to Group Work Practice in a Troubled Society discuss innovations in practice, programs, and theory, and a wide variety of work with clients in many different settings. There is a breadth and strength and diversity in contemporary group work practice, and the authors--practitioners and educators from the United States, Canada, and Hong Kong--represent the vitality of current practice and theory. Among the many topics they discuss are: contextual group work practice latent content in work with groups group work in administration cultural sensitivity and diversity in small-group practice group work in other cultures and with immigrant populations feminist group work and unique considerations in work with women’s groups group work with sexually abused children, with incest survivors, and with sexual offenders group work in community centers group work with mentally ill chemical abusers group work use in an innovative 12-step modality Group Work Practice in a Troubled Society provides a wealth of information and ideas for social workers and students of social work who are interested or involved in group work and who wish to learn more about current practice and developments in the field.

Social work degree students must be confident in working with groups of service users as well as other professionals. This revised new edition introduces the practicalities of planning, establishing, facilitating and evaluating social work projects including small helping groups as well as interprofessional working parties. The authors examine the best methods in setting up a group, the issues around power and anti-oppressive practice, and how to cope with unexpected or unhelpful outcomes. This second edition features new material on sociodrama and psychodrama action methods, with more examples from actual groupwork projects.

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.

Not simply another "how-to" book, this provocative collection of readings does not advance a single viewpoint or approach to group work. Instead, the 25 selections present the full spectrum of classic and current perspectives, providing student and practitioner alike with a sound basis for evaluating contemporary practice and for formulating a personal approach to social group work. The historical and conceptual roots of modern social group work methods are examined in Part I, "Conceptual Foundations" which contains some of the classic statements in the field. Part II, "Current Perspectives", explores the most widely influential contemporary models of group work, "social goals" perspectives, "remedial" perspectives, and "mediative" perspectives. The two-part section that concludes the volume focuses on applications: group work is first discussed in relation to family and community casework and administration; then, self-help groups and other techniques used in the fields of medicine, counseling, and psychology are surveyed in light of their implications for social workers. To encourage the reader's active participation in the development of an individual philosophy and approach to social group work, Dr. Alissi concludes each chapter with probing study questions. These open-ended questions stimulate comparisons among the methods presented and urge the reader to relate new ideas to his or her own experience in the field. Introductions to each part and chapter also stress comparative aspects. An annotated list of articles and books on the subject of each chapter allows the reader to explore it in greater depth. A stimulating and systematic exposure to the most important ideas in social group work today, "Perspectives on Social Group Work Practice" expands the repertoire of working concepts vital to contemporary practice.