Presents a model for prevention and early intervention using a multifamily group counseling process to increase the resiliency of children and to empower families living with multiple stressors in high-risk environments. (Author)

Investigated relation between marital distress, therapeutic alliance formation, and treatment outcome in group marital skills training program in which 63 couples met for 9 weeks. Results indicated that levels of marital distress neither impaired nor facilitated alliance formation. Strength of alliance appeared to be more powerful predictor of…

Discusses trend towards involving criminal offenders in substance abuse programs and utilizing outpatient settings in treatment. Appraises the treatment performance of both court-referred and voluntary clients and the impacts criminal-justice-referred clients may have upon other persons in treatment programs to which they are admitted. Discusses…

Collected self-report data on 6 different types of social support and 3 distress symptoms from 37 pretest clients who participated in 6 counseling center therapy groups (26 completed posttests). Significant improvement in symptoms was noted during the 8-week interventions, and was related to the availability of social support, largely from sources…

The article summarizes 12 group sessions intended to decrease inappropriate behavior and increase the self-esteem of 10-12 learning-disabled seventh and eighth graders. Art projects culminating in a group mural were a prominent part of the group activities. (DB)

Provides a selective review of relevant research on developmental psychopathology and its relevance for group care programming; a summary overview of major themes in residential care outcome research; and suggestions for future research on group care with implications for direct practice, service organization, and policy. (TJQ)

Describes an experiment that aimed to help bereaved teenagers through peer group counseling, and examines the related issue of how reliably the effectiveness of this counseling can be measured. This involved a systematic approach to the subjective impressions of participants, as well as objective measurement techniques. (JPS)

A therapeutic document model using language as an active change agent is presented, which extends the practice of the therapeutic letter to group counseling. Grounded in social constructionism, this model transforms client documentation into a functional intervention. Competency based, it has the potential to enhance self-agency and expedite…

Small-group development is an important aspect of adventure therapy. Supplementing knowledge of sequential stages of group development with knowledge concerning within-stage nonsequential development yields a richer understanding of groups. Integrating elements of the individual counseling relationship (working alliance, transference, and real…

Performed two studies to examine things unsaid in group counseling. Examined categories of things unsaid, relationships between types of things unsaid, stage of group development, and gender. Found more advice and outside things unsaid during orientation-inclusion stage and more positive feeling and empathic things unsaid during affection-cohesion…

Describes a model for preparing clients with eating disorders to increase retention in a counseling group. Methods are discussed for preparing these clients cognitively, behaviorally, and experientially. Implications for retention and group participation are also discussed. (Author)

Investigated effects of an individual's ability to process information (conceptual level) on the choice of alternative verbal conflict behaviors (tactics) in a small-group context. Members of the higher conceptual level study group made a higher percentage of overall responses, while members of the lower conceptual level group used avoidance and…

Therapeutic adventure with families is a promising integration of adventure therapy and family therapy. Issues that must be addressed to legitimize the field include licensure and legal scope of practice, developing minimum standards for practitioners, incorporating family development and family therapy theories into practice, and conducting more…

Examined the effect of group art therapy on maternal self image and self esteem as well as on the quality of interactions between mother and child. It was hypothesized that group art therapy would improve maternal self esteem and self image and, in turn, foster positive mother-child interactions. (BF)

This pilot study examined whether aggressive responses and attitudes of high-risk adolescent girls would decrease after a group treatment that focused on the specific needs of aggressive adolescent girls. Twelve girls, aged 12-16 years from two residential facilities, participated in eight, one-hour group sessions. Results indicated a…