Growing Groups: A Journey of Healing, Growth, and Renewal provides readers with the knowledge and insight they need to effectively develop, nurture, participate in, and lead groups.
The opening chapter explores different types of groups, their characteristics, and the benefits of belonging to a group. Readers learn the importance of ensuring emotional safety in group contexts through informed consent, cultural awareness and sensitivity, and the promise of confidentiality. Dedicated chapters outline the stages of group development and examine the neural process of psychological healing that occurs as a result of successful group interactions. Readers learn about the nature and function of emotions, internal and external conflict, how to deal with differences, and more. The closing chapter speaks to how human beings are wired for connection and how a lack of connection can lead to loneliness, isolation, and physical illness.
Featuring a bevy of practical tools for group leaders-including warm-up questions to inspire connection, discussion prompts, handouts, and more-Growing Groups is an accessible and valuable resource for courses in leading groups and group therapy.
Industry Reviews
"During a historic national crisis, this book is a compassionate contemporary reminder that healing requires humanity, empathy, respect for others, and proffers a 'we are our brothers and sisters' keeper' message to it."
Irmo Marini, Professor, School of Rehabilitation, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Career in Rehabilitation Education award by the National Council on Rehabilitation Education
"Growing Groups by Geoffrey Buckley is a genuine, heartfelt, superb foray into the creation, management, and phenomenological healing properties of understanding and facilitating the group process at its finest. The text will not only explain in clear, precise language the 'magic' of group procedures, but will also leave you feeling good about what you are learning and in validating why you do this essential work."
Suzanne Whitehead, Professor and Program Coordinator of Counselor Education, California State University, Stanislaus