Describes and analyzes an action research" method for identifying and solving intergroup social problems. (Editor)

Helping a group close on a productive note is very important. Each client must understand precisely what he or she can expect of the group. Most groups develop agreements on starting times, closing times, approximate number of sessions, and ways homework assignments are developed. (Author)

Discusses ethical issues of dual relationships and grading in teaching group skills building courses. Offers recommendations for avoiding unethical practice. Concludes personal growth experience can be most beneficial but that this may not necessarily be accomplished in situations in which participants are evaluated for a grade, a recommendation,…

Used phenomenological method to investigate the lived-experiences of cancer patients (N=5) who participated in a group therapy program called "forgiveness therapy" which focused on relief and dissipation of negative feelings and the resolution of painful psychological issues associated with cancer. Findings suggest that forgiveness…

Conducted analysis of content and process categories for "Journal for Specialists in Group Work" articles for 15 years. Institutional sources were also examined for this time period. Concluded that nature of journal's content seems to reflect the evolving and diverse nature of field of group work and varied membership in the Association…

Lists 21 new publications in group work, of which 9 are reviewed. Those discussed include publications on group counseling and psychotherapy, structured groups, support groups, psychodrama, and social group work. (Author/NB)

Presents session-by-session description of 8-week, career-focused group program for 10 displaced homemakers from 1 affluent community. Describes immediate postsession evaluations and one-month followup that document the program's effectiveness and limitations. (Author/NB)

Describes types of group members who are challenging in group settings including entitled, manipulative, and character-disordered clients. Provides suggestions for working with these group members, either as isolated cases or as homogenous populations, emphasizing the protection of other clients' rights. Includes 31 references. (Author/CRR)

Investigated link between depression and anger in women aged 65 and older. Seventeen women participated in group counseling sessions that focused on anger awareness. Subjects and matched controls responded to Beck Depression Inventory and Anger Self-Report Scale. Findings suggest that participation in group counseling did not change participants'…

Analyzed data for 48 adults participating in personal growth groups. Members composed, rated, and delivered positive and corrective feedback. Findings indicated that group members were more reluctant to give corrective feedback than positive feedback. Group members feared that corrective feedback would be regarded as harmful by recipient and by…

Results of 2 surveys and subsequent workshops based on questions and comments from 2,360 counselors are reported from participants who came from diverse geographic and work settings. Their perceived and actual needs for basic generic group leadership skills are discussed, and suggestions are made for different emphases in preparing group leaders.…

Notes that training of employment counselors in Canada includes tripartite approach to employment counseling and consists of direct delivery of counseling, consultation, and coordination. Contends that recent attention has been focused on training of group employment counselors and development of group workshops to assist counselors in delivery of…

Presents the Association for Specialists Work's Best Practice Guidelines. These guidelines are intended to clarify the application of the American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice to the field of group work by defining group workers' responsibility and scope of practice. (Author/MKA)

Discusses how change happens, not always in dramatic ways, but usually in small, ordinary ways. Also discusses some personal experiences of the author and how building a sense of community has become difficult. Introduces this special issue by describing the articles included. (MKA)