Geoffrey L. Greif – författare

Marriage is a major step in a relationship, and each member of that newly joined pair brings with them their own existing family and the corresponding complexity and richness of in-law relationships. These are multi-generational, multi-layered, and, like a kaleidoscope, a shifting amalgam of emotional colors. Exceptionally important, in-law relationships can be joyous and comforting. They can also be complicated, contentious, and disappointing. These ties serve as a model for how to stay connected across generations for the well-being of grandparents, parents, and grandchildren, and as a bellwether for what to avoid. Drawing on interviews and survey data with more than 1,500 mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, daughters-in-law, and sons-in-law, the book describes how these complicated and highly significant relationships develop over time. Geoffrey L. Greif and Michael E. Woolley focus on the relationships between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law as well as fathers-in-law with sons-in-law. They describe the struggles as well as the triumphs that people encounter with these relationships from the perspectives of both generations and suggest ways to improve the relationships. To improve in-law relationships, Greif and Woolley present action-oriented family therapy theories based on the insight, communication, boundary building, and narratives that family members wish to create. They also explore how these relationships change with the normal transitions of marrying into the family, having children/grandchildren, and aging.In-law Relationships describes highly successful and nurturing connections as well as those that are troubled and distant. The resulting book offers a variety of clinical lenses to help readers of all backgrounds focus on and, if needed, repair in-law relationships.

Why do parents stop having contact with their children after separation and divorce? How does this falling out of touch affect them and their children, and what can noncustodial parents do to maintain contact? This book offers a new perspective for parents who are "out of touch" by exploring what the loss of contact means in their lives as well as the lives of their children. Greif presents the portraits of parents pushed away by the other parent or by their children after painful and emotional divorces. He discusses the emotional, legal and public policy issues involved for divorced parents and their children.

Current statistics indicate that a young African-American man is more likely to be incarcerated or killed than to graduate from college. Yet, despite many obstacles, some are beating the odds against them and achieving at society's highest standard of success. How do they avoid such pitfalls, and what can African-American parents do to help their sons succeed? Based on extensive research and interviews with successful young African-American males and their parents, Beating the Odds emphasizes the unique combinations of supportive and challenging parenting practices that parents have adopted to help their sons cope and achieve in both the African-American community and mainstream white society.

When Beating the Odds: Raising Academically Successful African American Males appeared in 1998, it was hailed as "a crucial book" (Baltimore Sun) and "undoubtedly one of the most important tools the African American parent can possess" (Kweisi Mfume, President NAACP).Now, in response to enormous demand, the authors turn their attention to African American young women. Statistics indicate that African American females, as a group, fare poorly in the United States. Many live in single-parent households-either as the single-parent mother or as the daughter. Many face severe economic hurdles. Yet despite these obstacles, some are performing at exceptional levels academically. Based on interviews with many of these successful young women and their families, Overcoming the Odds provides a wealth of information about how and why they have succeeded-what motivates them, how their backgrounds and family relationships have shaped them, even how it feels to be a high academic achiever. They also discuss the challenges of moving into African American womanhood, from maintaining self-esteem to making the right choices about their professional and personal lives. Most important, the book offers specific and inspiring examples of the practices, attitudes, and parenting strategies that have enabled these women to persevere and triumph. For parents, educators, policy makers, and indeed all those concerned about the education of young African American women, Overcoming the Odds is an invaluable guidebook on creating the conditions that lead to academic-and lifelong-success.

A Handbook of Contemporary Group Work Practice is for both students and practitioners in social work, counselling, psychology, and all other helping professions. Whether readers are new to the modality or experienced group leaders, they can read a chapter and immediately appreciate the benefits group membership provides to the identified population and understand how to help group members achieve their collective goals. Many authors include case examples that provide readers with a window into how the group they describe functions in practice. Authors also include online resources that will help readers replicate the group in their practice setting. The handbook is organized into four sections. Part I provides readers with a straightforward introduction to group work practice, its foundation in mutual aid, and the core skills needed to promote members' collaborative efforts. This includes a discussion of what it means to adopt a trauma-informed lens in group work practice. In Parts II, III, and IV, contributors describe the groups they have facilitated. For ease of reading, authors adhere to a similar format that includes descriptions of the client population, rationale for and structure of the group, common themes, intervention skills and strategies, caveats, and termination and evaluation. Carolyn Knight and Geoffrey L. Greif distinguish three broad types of groups based upon the primary focus of members' collective efforts; in reality, many groups include elements one, two, or all three types. Parts II and III describe groups that promote resilience and growth in response to challenging life transitions and trauma exposure. Part IV includes groups that challenge systemic marginalization and inequality. The emphasis in all the groups is the importance of empowerment, at both the individual and community levels, respect for diversity, and an emphasis on inclusion and equity at the micro (group) and macro (systemic) levels.

Friendships are undeniably important to an individual’s health, longevity and wellbeing, but they can be equally important for the health and happiness of a couple. Just as a friend can provide a mirror to the self, another couple can provide a reflecting team that supports or impedes a relationship’s growth. Two Plus Two: Couples and Their Couple Friendships offers an important framework for helping couples to have conversations about their friendships with other couples and to enrich their own relationships. When couples agree about how to spend their time alone and with others, they are more likely to have a happy marriage or relationship. Couple friendships have not been researched previously, despite their numerous benefits. Authors Geoffrey Greif and Kathleen Deal take an in-depth approach to this important topic. Based on interviews with more than 400 people--some of whom were interviewed with their partners, some who were interviewed alone, and some who have divorced--they find that couples fall into three general categories of making couple friendships: Seekers, Keepers, and Nesters. Drs. Greif and Deal discuss the different styles of interaction they've observed in couples as well as the findings from their research. Readings from their interviews illustrate what characteristics define Seekers, Keepers, and Nesters. Couples at any stage of their relationship will get a fresh understanding of how to seek, foster and sustain positive, healthy friendships.