Introduction to Group Therapy

Virginia M. Brabender (Author)

9780471378891, Wiley

Paperback / softback, published 12 November 2002

552 pages, Tables: 9 B&W, 0 Color
24.8 x 19.8 x 2.7 cm, 1.064 kg

This is a very fine and rich introduction to group therapy that I would gladly recommend to anyone teaching about or wanting to learn about group therapy or the nature of groups. (Cecil E. Rice, Contemporary Psychology APA Review of Books, 2004, Vol. 49, No. 5)

A practical and balanced guide to effective group therapy

In this up-to-date text, Dr. Virginia Brabender provides balanced coverage of the major treatment approaches and provides a solid background of both why and how effective group therapy is practiced. Writing in a conversational style augmented with many instructive case studies, she covers the key aspects of group therapy, from group planning to termination, and all points in between. Providing a balance of theory, contemporary applications, and personal insight, Dr. Brabender explores four major treatment approaches-interpersonal, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and problem-solving-and weighs their various advantages and disadvantages in treating a range of problems in a variety of settings.

Introduction to Group Therapy:
* Covers all practical aspects of planning, organizing, and managing a therapy group
* Summarizes the latest research into group therapy theory and practice
* Addresses mistakes commonly made by therapists new to group therapy and offers expert advice on how to avoid making them
* Describes how therapists can be effective in short-term group therapy
* Explores legal and ethical issues that can arise in group therapy
* Provides self-assessment methods along with proven solutions for refining techniques
* Presents empirically validated strategies for handling difficult patient populations-such as acute inpatient clients-and treatment settings, including correctional facilities

Part I. Introduction to Group Psychotherapy
* Introduction
* Goals of Group psychotherapy

Part II. Change Processes
* Development of the Group
* Mechanisms of Change

Part III. Elements of Group Psychotherapy
* The Role of the Therapist
* Advance Leadership Issues
* Supporting Features of the Group Design
* Composition, Selection, and Preparation
* The Ethical Practice of Group Psychotherapy

Part IV. Models of Group Psychotherapy
* Interpersonal Model
* Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy: An Object Relations Approach
* The Cognitive-Behavioral Approach
* Problem-Solving

Part V. Group Psychotherapy with Other Modalities
* Group Psychotherapy and other modalities

Part VI. Conclusions

Appendix: Effective Group Psychotherapy

Subject Areas: Psychology [JM]