Conducting Effective and Productive Psychoeducational and Therapy Groups

Nina W. Brown, EdD, is a professor and eminent scholar at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. She received her doctorate from the College of William and Mary and is a member of the American Counseling Association, the Society of Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy (APA Division 49), and a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association. Her 30+ books include Teaching Group Dynamics; Expressive Processes for Group Counseling; Group Counseling for Middle and Elementary School Children; Psychoeducational Groups (now in its fourth edition); Becoming a Group Leader; Facilitating Challenging Groups; and Creative Activities for Group Therapy. Books on other topics include The Destructive Narcissistic Pattern; Children of the Self-Absorbed (two editions); Loving the Self-Absorbed; and Coping with Infuriating, Mean, Critical People.

"Dr. Brown has written yet another informative book on starting and leading psychoeducational groups. Dr. Brown defines the purpose of a psychoeducational group and how it differs from a psychotherapy group. At the same time, she identifies commonalities such as attending to the developmental stages of group and the group process and the importance of leader self-development. The book is filled with suggestions for activities and exercises that support the goals of each chapter. Leaders of any kind of group should read her chapter on diversity and group process. This helpful book can serve equally as a beginner’s guide or a reference source for more experienced group leaders."—Eleanor F. Counselman, EdD, CGP, ABPP, LFAGPA, past president of the American Group Psychotherapy Association"Dr. Nina Brown has done it again! This comprehensive, user-friendly book should be required reading for all beginning group leaders, especially psychoeducational group leaders. Among the many contributions included in this valuable book are Dr. Brown’s tools for understanding and working with difficult members, discussions and guides for using processes and easily implemented activities, constructive ways to understand and address cultural and diversity issues, tips for resilient boundary-building for the leader and group members, and much more."—Ann Steiner, PhD, MFT, CGP, psychotherapist, author, and professional speaker"This book’s ten chapters take the reader step by step through planning, therapist factors, the group mindset, the balance of content and process, and more. The theoretical aspects of running groups are demonstrated frequently with concrete examples and useful suggestions. Of particular interest early in the book is Dr. Brown’s discussion of narcissism and its role, both positive and negative, in the development of the therapist. Too frequently do new group leaders lose consciousness of their own emotional make-up in their management of what is happening in their groups. I believe this book should be a part of the graduate curriculum of all counseling programs."—Richard Newman, MEd, LPC-S, LMFT-S, LCSW, owner and psychotherapist at Greenway Psychotherapy Associates, P.C."This is an essential manual for facilitating effective group psychotherapy that belongs on the shelf of all group facilitators, coordinators, and supervisors. Its straightforward yet sophisticated tackling of the topics make it my go-to resource for training in group psychotherapy. Finally, here is a practical guide that gets to the core of what group facilitators need to know to do excellent work."—Noelle Lefforge, PhD, MHA, CGP, assistant director of clinical services and research at the PRACTICE clinic at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• Preface 1. Introduction to Psychoeducational Groups, Professional Responsibilities, Beginning the Group, and Ethics 2. Build a Therapeutic Self 3. Experiential Activities 4. Group Facilitation Skills 5. Group Therapeutic Factors and Developmental Stages 6. Activities: Leader Self-Development, Relationship Building, Communication Skills Development, and Therapeutic Factors 7. Culture and Diversity 8. Group Level Challenges, Problems, and Concerns9. Individual Member Challenges 10. Activities and Closure. References. Appendix A: A Sample Psychoeducational Group Plan. Appendix B: Effective Group Leader Behaviors and Attitudes. Appendix C: Behaviors and Attitudes of Effective Group Members. Appendix D: Leader Development: Emotional Sensitivity or Emotional Susceptibility?