If counselors are to be facilitators of client growth, it would seem essentail that they become familiar with the concept of growth and ways to facilitate it. The author defines growth from a gestalt therapy point of view and provides techniques and examples of ways to facilitate client growth. (Author)

Data from 12 rural community problem-solving groups working with extension agents were studied to explore the relationship between group and individual growth and (1) agent self-actualization and (2) certain group trait variables. Individual and group growth was found to be highly related to small group size, high ratings of problem importance,…

This book is to be used in a Life Skills Coach Training course. Life skills are defined as problem-solving behaviors appropriately and responsibly used in the management of personal affairs. They apply to the following areas of responsibility: self, family, leisure, community, and job. A course aimed at training people in the life skills implies…

Planned Experiences for Effective Relating (PEER), a 10-session audio-tape program for self-directed personal growth groups, was tested with two experimental populations, county labor camp inmates and university students. There were approximately eight persons in each group. Participants conducted their own sessions, using the PEER Program tapes…

Personal futures planning is a tool for fostering new ways of thinking about people with developmental disabilities. Futures planning helps groups of people focus on opportunities for people with disabilities to develop personal relationships, have positive roles in community life, increase their control of their own lives, and develop the skills…

Briefly describes a hiking activity developed by high school counselors to provide challenges to themselves in order to discover their own problem-solving abilities and skills. (CJ)

Medical and non-medical group mental health approaches are discussed. In the medical approach groups are set up for the treatment of the psychopathology of the members and group therapy or group psychotherapy methods are utilized. The clients are selected by the therapist who determines what kind of group would be most beneficial for the patient.…

This study analyzed how authors of selected books present their main character with regard to his personal development problems, how he resolves them, and what happens to his personal development in the process. On the basis of which Newbery Medal Award books were best suited for a study of how the main character develops, "Up A Road…

Perspective transformation is a consciously achieved state in which the individual's perspective on life is transformed. The new perspective serves as a vantage point for life's actions and interactions, affecting the way life is lived. Three conditions are basic to achieving perspective transformation: (1) "feeling" experience, i.e.,…

In counseling sessions, a family with an adolescent son who has physical and academic problems comes to realize that each parent feels unappreciated for his or her efforts and that the father is overprotecting his son by not permitting him to solve his own problems and make his own decisions. (JDD)

A case study was conducted of the organized, cooperative efforts of women in six communities in Bolivia. From December 1978 through January 1988, visits were made to women's organizations called "mothers' clubs." Effects of club membership on members, their families, and their communities were examined. A research review showed that: (1)…

Saskatchewan NewStart is engaged in developing new methods of adult training and counseling. The life skills course involves developing appropriate problem-solving behaviors in the management of personal affairs. The first 29 pages of this manual contain information and procedures for the teacher in setting up a life skills course in applied…

The Life Skills course of Saskatchewan NewStart uses concepts and techniques from education, social work, and behavior sciences to develop new types of programs which stress personal competence in dealing with problems. This book describes the Life Skills course and gives examples of how problem solving skills are taught. Other chapters deal with…

This curriculum guide, which was designed for an exploration/orientation course in home economics aimed at empowering students to make responsible decisions and choices in an ever-changing informational society, contains the following materials: a course description, course objectives, background information for instructors, an abbreviated course…

In this book, the first of a series on functional education for individual, community, and national development, the author shares her understanding of the needs of nonformal education and what may prove useful to fulfill these needs. The content is in three sections. The first one identifies the forces that have converged to give nonformal…