Group Leadership Skills: Interpersonal Process in Group Counseling and Therapy

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.

Table of Contents:
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

About the Author :
Dr. Chen is a professor at Northeastern Illinois University. She teaches group counseling, individual counseling, theories in counseling and psychotherapy, mental health counseling, grief counseling, and stress management. In addition, she maintains her own private practice, on the side, in Illinois. She has received three Faculty Excellence Awards from Northeastern Illinois University. As well, she received the Beverly Brown Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Group Counseling from the Illinois Association for Specialists in Group Work (IASGW). Besides the text of Group Leadership Skills, Dr. Chen also publishes Individual Counseling and Therapy: Skills and Techniques (3rd edition coming out in 2018) and has published many journal articles in related areas. Dr. Rybak was a professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership & Human Development at Bradley University and a specialist in group work. He taught group counseling, counseling diverse populations, practicum and internship in counseling, theories and techniques of counseling, and pre-practicum in counseling. Dr. Rybak served as the director of the ELH Counseling Clinic and several times as president of the Illinois Association for Specialists in Group Work. He received awards for innovative teaching and integrated learning, a research award, two Fulbright scholarship awards, and the Beverly Brown Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Group Counseling from the Illinois Association for Specialists in Group Work (IASGW).

Review :
"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." "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." "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." "This text revision expands on previous available materials, is accessible to undergraduate and graduate students, and has practical examples to illuminate the concepts." "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.’" "A deep dive into facilitating group process that helps guide leaders into how to create meaningful change through group interaction." "Excellent information and application for upper-level group courses."