Social Work With Groups

Book excerpt: Social Work With Groups describes continuity and change in group work. It revisits the theoretical ideas of group work and group work topics of the past decade, focusing on the continuity of group work theory and practice. At the same time it emphasizes the need for change to more effectively work with deal with people in new groups in need--people with AIDS, gangs, persons in grief, and minorities, as well as groups always in need but now with new and additional needs--families, children, adolescents. This book deals with how to meet the needs of existing and emerging populations. It shows a good combination of theory and practice of group work in a variety of settings and using traditional techniques with new groups. Chapters in this book revisit the theoretical ideas of group work such as stages of development and the question of self-determination in groups. The sections of theory are the basis for the more practical emphasis of what today’s group worker is doing and how they are doing it. Social Work With Groups is very practice oriented. As such, anybody who uses groups to help people will find much to read and reflect upon. With its across-the-board appeal, persons new to group work will delight in the practical information, and experienced group workers will find the revisiting of the issues a helpful and refreshing approach. Clinical social workers and faculty with an interest in theory and theoretical approaches to group work will appreciate the theory addressed in the book. Social change oriented practitioners searching for new methods of empowerment among the people will find helpful suggestions in this book for social, political, and grassroots activism.