Understanding and Facilitating Group Process

For those in the mental health professions, understanding the nature and dynamics of groups goes well beyond simple curiosity. Groups provide a platform, a medium, and a mode for facilitating growth and development and alleviating and resolving life problems.

Understanding and Facilitating Group Process provides readers with the foundational skills they need to competently and confidently engage in and lead group work. The material reflects the knowledge identified as fundamental to professional practice according to 2016 CACREP standards.

The content and exercises within the text provide readers with an understanding of the theoretical foundations of group work; the dynamics of group process and development; therapeutic factors; and the characteristics of effective group leaders. Readers learn about types of groups and other considerations that affect conducting groups in various settings. Finally, the text presents ethical and culturally relevant strategies for designing and facilitating a group. Throughout, learning exercises clarify concepts and engage the reader, and Takeaway for Counselors features provide readers with reflections to guide professional practice.

Illuminating and essential, Understanding and Facilitating Group Process is an ideal textbook for courses and programs in mental health counseling.

Richard D. Parsons, Ph.D. has authored or co-authored over 90 books, book chapters, and professional articles. He has over 40 years of university teaching experience, has had a private clinical practice for over 30 years, and serves as a professor of counselor education at West Chester University. Dr. Parsons is a consultant to educational and mental health institutions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. He earned his master's and doctoral degrees from Temple University.