Leading Psychoeducational Groups for Children and Adolescents

This book provides readers with direction on how to organize psychoeducational groups while also helping them enhance skills for effectively leading such groups―all in one comprehensive volume! Offering an applied, pragmatic approach, author Janice L. DeLucia-Waack uniquely integrates research and practice to suggest valuable leadership strategies while addressing special issues such as children of divorce, anger management, bullying behaviors, and much more. Key Features: Uses the model of Planning, Performing, and Processing: Based on the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW) Best Practice Guidelines, this book provides an outline for each step from planning a group to designing sessions to implementing them and also evaluating their effectiveness. The book also includes ASGW Professional Standards for Training of Group Workers and ASGW Principles for Diversity-Competent Group Workers. Focuses on the therapeutic relationship and interventions specific to children and teens: Groups for children and adolescents must be designed and implemented differently than groups for adults. What little has been written specifically about psychoeducational groups does not make distinctions based on the age of group members. This is the first book to suggest specific interventions that generate interest and participation on the part of children and adolescents. Provides guidance for the entire spectrum of activities related to leading groups: This book offers practical suggestions for how to effectively use activities in group meetings and chronicles common mistakes to avoid. A variety of learning tools such as suggested activities, sample outlines of group sessions, tables with references for related materials, and much more facilitate student comprehension. Intended Audience: This is an excellent text for advanced undergraduate and graduate students studying Counseling and Therapy of Children and Adolescents, Social Group Work, and Group Counseling for Education in departments of psychology, social work, and education. It is also a valuable resource for social work practitioners, counselors, and psychologists.