The president of the Association for Specialists in Group Work reacts to each article in this special issue. Proposes that the inclusion of world views and the broadening of paradigms may provide some answers to the problem of community-building in group work. (Author/MKA)

Presents the PARS model (focusing on Processing: Activity, Relationships, Self), a model for processing group activities that can be helpful in training beginning group leaders and that can provide a "road map" for group processing that can benefit group leaders. Provides an example application of the PARS model. (Author/GCP)

The development of the Association for Specialists in Group Work's (ASGW) four-category system for classifying types of group work is described. Strengths and limitations of the Waldo and Bauman proposed Goals and Process (GAP) matrix for group work categorization are identified and discussed in relation to the present ASGW system. (Author/MKA)

Based mainly on journal literature, this compilation on training the group therapist contains 351 English-language or translated items published from 1947 through 1995. Databases searched were PsychLIT, Medline, Social Sciences Citation Index, and Psychological Abstracts. (RB)

Group practitioners are increasingly expected to offer treatment to persons convicted of assaultive and violent crimes. This article discusses a brief, solution-oriented approach for treatment of this population. We begin by defining the target population for this treatment approach and make distinctions regarding clients that may and may not be…

This applied dissertation investigated whether a combined-strategy group intervention improved social competence among children with autism spectrum disorders. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders exhibit deficits in social behaviors that may negatively impact all aspects of their lives. Social competence for individuals with autism spectrum…

Research has demonstrated that the use of animals in counseling provides beneficial effects to clients. This article presents literature on Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), and details an exploratory study that applied AAT in an adolescent anger management group. Consistent with other research, beneficial effects noted in this study included a…

The rationale for the use of logotherapy in the context of substance use treatment is introduced. The article reviews prior group applications of logotherapy and offers a clinical curriculum for a group application of logotherapy tailored to the substance use treatment context. Furthermore, the article provides a discussion of the specifics of the…

Hierarchical linear models distinguish between the individual and the group levels of data. Hence, they are often referred to as multilevel models. It is easiest to think of hierarchical linear models as special regression models that allow simultaneous investigation of the respective roles that individual and group characteristics play in the…

This article creates a strong theoretical rationale in support of the concept of fellowship, the cornerstone healing influence of Alcoholic Anonymous (AA). It reviews the literature which supports the Alcoholic Anonymous' concept of fellowship or client perceived belongingness. It provides a strong rationale for the establishment of new…

Within the literature on group counseling and psychotherapy, the structure of therapeutic group processes is frequently described in terms of stages of the group process. Numerous group stages have been proposed to describe the social interaction and change in social interaction that is characteristic of group therapy. This study examined the…

Assumption of responsibility for one's own behavior is not something that occurs automatically in group counseling. The group counselor must be able to facilitate the kind of climate which not only allows but encourages group members to become involved in the process of determining what they will contribute. (Author)

The West Virginia University (WVU) model, designed and suggested as a means of meeting the need for a systematic approach to educating group counselors, provides student leaders with a training experience combining certain facets of the models reviewed in the literature: practice and feedback, participation, modeling, and instruction. (Author)

This study examines the relative effectiveness of 3 group counseling techniques and a control group in counseling with underachieving college freshmen. The effectiveness of each method was determined through comparison of grade point averages (GPA) as well as by pre- and post-test scores on selected self concept variables of the Tennessee Self…

The Communication Skills Workshop (CSW) serves couples prior to the onset of serious relationship discord, and focuses on the learning of general communication skills and problem-solving strategies rather than the amelioration of specific relationship conflicts. (Author)