Group Counseling: Strategies and Skills, Eighth Edition, provides an in-depth look at group counseling with an emphasis on practical knowledge and techniques for effective group leadership. The authors discuss the many facets of group counseling and provide examples of how each skill can be applied in a wide range of group settings to produce effective and efficient group sessions. The book focuses on the skills necessary for starting and ending a session, as well as on how to make the middle phase productive and meaningful.
Its practical, active approach is supported by nearly 50 video segments-including several new ones-that demonstrate specific skills as well as the integration of multiple skills and techniques. Through its integration of traditional theories and concepts of group process with thoughtful strategies and specific skills, this reader-friendly book and video clips meet the needs of practicing or future counselors, social workers, psychologists, and others who are leading or preparing to lead groups in a variety of settings.
New to this Edition
- Updated references throughout the text reflect current concepts and research findings relevant to group process. New and updated examples clarify concepts and skills.
- New advanced video clips emphasize the integration of multiple skills outlined in the text. In addition, new longer video clips demonstrate the skills being used in the beginning, middle, and closing phases of sessions, and show theories being applied in a variety of ways to make groups more engaging.
- New material on motivational interviewing has been added to Chapter 13, “Using Counseling Theories in Groups,” and new guidance on working with military groups appears in Chapter 17, “Working with Specific Populations.”
- Chapter 18, “Issues in Group Counseling,” has been eliminated, with key content integrated into appropriate chapters. For instance, material on legal issues now appears in Chapter 1 in response to feedback from users and reviewers who felt that such material should be introduced early in the course. Information on co-leading now appears in Chapter 6, “Basic Skills for Group Leaders,” supported by a new video clip.
About the Authors
Ed E. Jacobs
Ed Jacobs is the coordinator of the master's program in the Counseling, Counseling Psychology, and Rehabilitation Counseling Department at West Virginia University. He is also the founder and director of Impact Therapy Associates. He teaches courses in techniques, theories, group, and addictions and conducts workshops throughout the United States and Canada on group counseling and Impact Therapy. Ed has written five other counseling books: HOW TO SELECT AND APPLY CHANGE STRATEGIES IN GROUPS, IMPACT THERAPY: THE COURAGE TO COUNSEL, LEADING GROUPS IN CORRECTIONS, IMPACT THERAPY, and CREATIVE COUNSELING TECHNIQUES: AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE. In the past few years, Ed has traveled worldwide, introducing counselors to his group counseling and impact therapy ideas.
Christine J. Schimmel
Christine Schimmel is the coordinator of the school counseling program in the Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, and Counseling Psychology program at West Virginia University. She has been a counselor educator for over 15 years and has taught courses in school counseling, counseling techniques, group counseling, and counseling children and adolescents. Chris has written two other counseling books: HOW TO SELECT AND APPLY CHANGE STRATEGIES IN GROUPS and IMPACT THERAPY: THE COURAGE TO COUNSEL. Chris currently serves as the secretary for the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling, the licensure board for professional counselors in the state. A former school counselor, her teaching and research interests are in the field of school counseling.
Robert L. Masson
Bob Masson is Professor Emeritus at West Virginia University and remains active in the counseling field by teaching courses at Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers, Florida. Bob was a professor for more than 30 years at West Virginia University in the Department of Counseling, Counseling Psychology, and Rehabilitation Counseling. He also served on the State of West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling and remains a Licensed Profession Counselor. He has taught courses in counseling techniques, theories, group counseling, and rehabilitation counseling.
Riley L. Harvill
Riley Harvill is the president of The HarBeck Company, a leadership training and consulting firm located in Dallas, Texas. Over the past several years, his work has focused on individual and team coaching with U.S. and Canadian police and fire departments. Before co-founding The HarBeck Company, Riley was an associate professor at University of North Texas in the Counselor Education Department, where he taught courses in individual and group counseling.
