This updated edition of The Mutual-Aid Approach to Working with Groups includes four new chapters that address single-session groups, short-term groups, open-ended groups, and very large groups. This book provides a foundation for practice, examining theories, concepts, and practice principles specific to mutual aid. Readers are directed to ample study resources in key areas via recommended reading lists at the end of each chapter. Case examples are used to help bridge the gap between theory and practice in an immediately useful manner, and handy tables and figures make important points easy to access and understand. To view an excerpt online, find the book in our QuickSearch catalog at www.HaworthPress.com.

Group work is a popular and widely used social work method. Focusing particularly on the central role of mutual aid in effective group work, this text presents the theoretical base, outlines core principles, and introduces the skills for translating those theories and principles into practice. A Mutual-Aid Model for Social Work with Groups will help readers to catalyze the strengths of group members such that they become better problem solvers in all areas of life from the playroom to the boardroom. Increased coverage of evaluation and evidence-based practice speaks to the field’s growing concern with monitoring process and assessing progress. The book also includes: worker-based obstacles to mutual aid, their impact, and their antidotes pre-group planning including new discussion on curriculum groups group building by prioritizing certain goals and norms in the new group the significance of time and place on mutual aid and the role of the group worker maintaining mutual aid during so-called individual problem solving an expanded discussion of anti-oppression and anti-oppressive practice unlocking a group’s potential to make difference and conflict useful special considerations in working with time-limited, open-ended, and very large groups. Case examples are used throughout to help bridge the gap between theory and practice, and exercises for class or field, help learners to immediately apply conceptual material to their practice. All resources required to carry out the exercises are contained in over 20 appendices at the end of the book. Key points at the end of each chapter recap the major concepts presented, and a roster of recommended reading for each chapter points the reader to further resources on each topic. Designed to support ethical and successful practice, this textbook is an essential addition to the library of any social work student or human service practitioner working with groups.

Discover a unique resource on the "what," "why," and "how" of mutual aid in group settings! While an impressive body of professional literature attests to the central role of mutual aid in social work practice with groups, what has been lacking is a single source that links the description of mutual aid (what it is, exactly) with practice prescriptions (how to help it come about and flourish in various settings). This book does just that. This updated edition of the pathbreaking original contains four entirely new chapters that address: single-session groups short-term groups open-ended groups very large groups In addition, this book will help you to better understand and make use of mutual-aid perspectives on: pre-group planning early group goals and norms the significance of time and place, and the role of the group worker individual problem-solving authority, conflict, and evaluation Each chapter of The Mutual-Aid Approach to Working with Groups: Helping People Help One Another, Second Edition describes and discusses how to catalyze mutual aid in different settings and systems--including generic and specific obstacles to overcome; offers implications for practice and identifies group-specific skills for reaching each system's full mutual-aid potential. This new edition of The Mutual-Aid Approach to Working with Groups provides a foundation for practice, examining theories, concepts, and practice principles specific to mutual aid. Readers are directed to ample study resources in key areas via recommended reading lists at the end of each chapter. Case examples are used to help bridge the gap between theory and practice in an immediately useful manner, and handy tables and figures make important points easy to access and understand.

A book that supports the human spirit and the humanistic visions of those who champion personal and social change through the social work group.... The Second Edition of Group Work: A Humanistic and Skills Building Approach identifies the humanistic values and democratic norms that guide the group practitioner′s interventions. The book presents seven stage themes of group development, 29 techniques for group work practice, and more than 60 new illustrations from contemporary group work. The Second Edition remains centered on the role of the social group work practitioner, who employs group work methods to further the personal growth and empowerment of members in community and institutional contexts. Features of the Second Edition: · Offers 29 new descriptions of group work practice techniques, which have applicability in clinical, support, and organizational groups · Provides seven stage themes of group development, describing member reactions and highlighting worker pitfalls, self-awareness issues, and skills for maximizing member growth within each stage · Presents 60 new illustrations of group meetings, which demonstrate the practitioner role and conclude with discussion and analysis · Includes an updated Chapter 10, which highlights ethical values in mental health, substance abuse treatment, and health care groups Intended Audience This is an ideal core text for advance undergraduate and graduate courses such as Group Work, Foundation Practice, Skills of Counseling, and Group Dynamics in the fields of social work, psychology, and counseling.

The contributors to this volume examine the role of mutual aid groups and social workers in helping members of oppressed, vulnerable, and resilient populations regain control over their lives. The chapters reveal the ways in which mutual aid processes help individuals overcome social and emotional trauma in contemporary society by reducing isolation, universalizing individual problems, and mitigating stigma. Using the life cycle as a framework the editors establish a theoretical model for practice and demonstrate how social workers as group leaders can foster the healing and empowering process of mutual aid. The contributors also consider the fundamentals of the mutual aid process, the institutional benefits of group service, and specific clinical examples of mutual aid groups. Each chapter offers detailed case materials that illustrate both group work skills and developmental issues for a variety of populations and settings, including HIV-positive and AIDS patients, the homeless, and perpetrators and victims of sexual abuse and family violence. New chapters in this completely revised and updated third edition illustrate the power of mutual aid processes in dealing with children traumatized by the events of September 11, adult survivors of sexual abuse, parents with developmentally challenged children, people with AIDS in substance recovery, and mentally ill older adults.

Social science research on self-help/mutual aid groups and organizations from 1960 on is reviewed. Voluntary peer-run mutually supportive groups’ diversity illustrated through Alcoholics Anonymous, mental health groups and others. Socio-political contexts shape self-help/mutual aid. Borkman’s autoethnographic narrative highlights her participation.