Handbook of Social Work with Groups

This comprehensive handbook describes current approaches to working with groups in many different settings and for a variety of purposes. Leading social work practitioners and scholars outline influential theories of group work and address contemporary issues in planning and implementing interventions. The volume’s authoritative exploration of theoretical, practical, and methodological concerns-couples with a clear focus on empowernment and multi-culturalism –make it an indispensable, up-to-date reference and text. The Handbook begins with an introductory section on theoretical and philosophical foundations, reviewing salient ideas and findings from across the social and behavioural sciences. Next, chapters present established and emerging group work approaches in all the major practice fields-mental health, prevention, child welfare, substance abuse, aging, corrections, and more-as well as applications with community groups, groups in agencies, and policymaking groups. Illustrated are the ways groups are used to help people: Address personal problems; Cope with disabilities; Strengthen families and communities; Navigate Life Transitions; Obtain needed resources and support; Improve organizational functioning; Achieve Social Change. For each approach, authors provide practical, how-to-do-it information; review the relevant professional literature; assess the approach from the standpoint of empowernment; and consider the applicability if principles and methods for work with diverse populations. Extensive information on research issues is also presented, with separate chapters devoted to evaluating group work practice and solving common problems in research design. Other topics covered include the uses of the Internet and other technologies in extending group work opportunities beyond traditional settings. Surveying the breadth of current knowledge in the field, this volume is an essential resource for social work practitioners, supervisors, educators, researchers, and students. It serves as a uniquely informative text for undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in direct practice, group work, advanced practice, social work administration, and community organization.