Presents a seven-session group format, based on Native American principles, which can be used with children and adolescents to develop dimensions of self-esteem, self-determination, body awareness, and self-concept. Describes the unity model, lists practical considerations, and gives a brief description of each of the seven sessions. (RJM)

Presents solution-focused groups as a promising approach based on the results of a comprehensive study (N=68 counselors). Included is an overview of the approach with group session descriptions and case illustration. Includes two appendices titled "Prescreening and Sessions Outline," and "Subscales of the Index of Personality…

Describes how adolescents are affected by depression and alcohol dependence and offers a treatment plan for a dual diagnosis. The plan consists of an adolescent group and family program to facilitate and maintain behavioral changes in treatment. The benefits of this treatment and rationale for its application are discussed. (LSR)

Reviews the literature surrounding the use of personal/creative writing as an adjunct to group therapy. Several writing exercises, including a stain glass poem, personal logo, and epigram, as well as client responses, are discussed. The article concludes with suggestions for using writing with groups. (Author/TE)

Evaluated effects of group behavioral therapy including aerobic exercise, behavioral therapy alone, and aerobic exercise alone on pain and physical and psychological disability among mildly disabled chronic low-back-pain patients (n=96). The combined behavioral therapy and exercise group improved significantly more pretreatment to posttreatment…

Discusses issues related to families and addictions in the context of family-related helping professions and addictions counseling. Describes family systems approach to addictions and some family-based addiction interventions. Notes research articles that have made significant contributions to families and addictions field. (Author/CM)

The Yalom curative factors Q-sort was administered to eight members of an outpatient therapy group for older women, who were also interviewed on the group experiences they had viewed as helpful. Results indicated that Existential Awareness was seen as the most helpful mechanism, in contrast to other studies in which interpersonal factors have been…

Discusses the development of a unique support-therapy group, composed of a mix of gay/lesbian/bisexual persons and cofacilitated by heterosexual counselors. Describes the structure of the group as well as the developmental implications of such a group for both participants and counselors. (Author/RB)

Describes a parenting group for recovering addicts in which poetry, journal keeping, and creative writing are instrumental in the group process. Shows how they are used to set a therapeutic environment and establish a working alliance within the group, to reinforce concepts learned about the parent-child relationship, and to enhance communication…

Adult children of alcoholics (n=24) were tested on measures of loneliness, anxiety, hostility, depression, and interpersonal dependency before and after participation in short-term group therapy. Highly significant test score changes supported effectiveness of individual therapy in short-term groups. (Author/NB)

Brief intervention designed to promote symptom management was completed by 41 women with bulimia nervosa. Findings revealed diversity of outcomes that individuals reported following participation in intervention. Found differential reporting of clinically significant change in favor of specific eating psychopathology relative to personality…

Reviews the literature on group interventions with both disabled older adults and their caregivers. Data suggest number of potential advantages of group interventions, which are summarized along with implications for structuring effective group experiences. Concludes with suggestions for further research to enhance group counselor's repertoire of…

Of 220 drug or alcohol abusing adult probationers attending either Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Cocaine Anonymous (CA) meetings, 110 also participated in group therapy. For drug-abusing probationers, those who participated in both CA and group therapy performed significantly more favorable behaviors over 12-month follow-up than did those who…

Examines the effects of a focus group discussion on elderly worriers (N=21; at least 70 years old and self-designated as worriers). Results indicate that the percentage of the day that participants spent worrying was significantly reduced after the focus group. Subjects rated the experience as positive and beneficial. (RJM)

Managing interpersonal feedback is an important skill for group leaders. The role of feedback in counseling groups is examined. A skill-based training program to teach novice group leaders how to give, receive, and facilitate interpersonal feedback is evaluated; students' evaluation of the program shows that confidence level increased as a result…