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The Power of Groups
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The Power of Groups
Solution-Focused Group Counseling in Schools

Edited by:


May 2009 | 192 pages | Corwin

"A valuable addition to the growing conversation about solution-focused practice in schools. Cooley provides the nuts and bolts of solution-focused group work with students of all ages."
—John J. Murphy, Professor of Psychology
University of Central Arkansas

"The book is a pleasure to read, extremely informative, and helpful. The organization and content teaches a skill in a way that makes the reader feel empowered."
—Cynthia Knowles, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist and Consultant

A fresh, dynamic approach to build on students' strengths and encourage positive mental health.

Solution-focused brief counseling helps students improve their well-being by concentrating on goals and solutions rather than dwelling on problems. This resource shows how to use this highly effective approach for group counseling sessions so that students can dialogue and learn alongside their peers.

Research-based and practical, this unique guide gives school professionals the foundational theory and knowledge to adapt solution-focused group counseling techniques for any topic, curriculum, or grade level. Readers will find:

  • Case studies of real students encountering real problems
  • Forms, permissions slips, and sample letters for starting a group
  • "Do This" and "Avoid This" sections
  • Sample agendas for elementary, middle, and high school levels, complete with activities, session scripts, and discussion questions

Help students address common issues by creating lively, engaging group meetings using this powerful, goal-oriented methodology.


 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
1. Creating Change One Group at a Time
Facilitating Change

 
An Equation for Change

 
The Importance of a Theoretical Model

 
Choosing a Foundation: An Exploration of Models

 
Practitioner Training

 
Summary

 
 
2. Solution-Focused Counseling: A Primer
The School as a System

 
The Assumptions of Solution-Focused Brief Counseling

 
Conclusions

 
Summary

 
 
3. Turning a Solution-Focused Attitude Into Practice
What Happens if I Do Something Wrong?

 
Techniques and Strategies of Solution-Focused Counseling

 
Summary

 
 
4. Adapting Group Curriculum Material: General Principles
Choosing an Activity

 
Make It Your Own

 
Creating a Safe Environment

 
Summary

 
 
5. Adapting Group Curriculum Material: Specific Strategies
Group Discussion

 
Goal Setting

 
The Role of Questions

 
Summary

 
 
6. From Ideas to Action: Planning and Preparation
Getting Referrals

 
Permission Letters

 
Setting Up the Group

 
Pre- and Postevaluation Surveys

 
Handling Pressure

 
Summary

 
 
7. From Ideas to Action: Getting the Group Up and Running
At the First Meeting

 
Keeping the Group Afloat

 
Successful Ways to End a Group

 
Summary

 
 
8. Group Agendas: A Sampling
Elementary Level: Making Friends, Sessions 1 Through 3

 
Middle School: Handling Pressure, Sessions 4 Through 6

 
High School: Making Decisions and Life Goals, Sessions 7 Through 9

 
Summary

 
 
9. Troubleshooting
Potential Snags

 
Intervention Ideas

 
Self-Evaluation

 
Summary

 
 
10. The Power of Groups
The Students

 
The Process

 
The Leader

 
 
References
 
Index

"Provides both theoretical grounding and practical instruction, including multiple case examples, sample wording, and forms to help put into practice this strength-based and goal-oriented approach. This is an ideal text for both graduate-level courses in counseling and for the busy professional searching for a text grounded in theory yet brimming with practicality."

Melissa Holland, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Faculty, California State University, Sacramento

"A valuable addition to the growing conversation about solution-focused practice in schools. Cooley provides the nuts and bolts of solution-focused group work with students of all ages. Packed with practical ideas and materials."

John J. Murphy, Professor of Psychology
University of Central Arkansas

“The book does a credible job of covering SFBC foundations and group counseling tenets and then blending the two into a comprehensive and immensely practical resource. A thorough presentation of basics for beginning counselors and a review for experienced counselors.”

Katy Olweilier, Counselor
Lakeside School, Seattle, WA

"Beginning counselors will appreciate the ways to ensure the success of counseling groups and the many examples that illustrate the tenets of solution-focused group counseling. Experienced counselors will add to their repertoires of counseling skills and techniques. Solution-focused counseling provides a positive, proactive way of assisting individuals in finding answers to their questions.”

Bernita L. Krumm, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership
Oklahoma State University

“The book is a pleasure to read, extremely informative, and helpful. The author is clearly an expert on the topic and is able to teach and write to the reader with ease. The organization and content of this book teaches a skill in a way that makes the reader feel empowered.”

Cynthia Knowles, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist and Consultant

"Cooley provides the nuts and bolts of creating and leading solution-focused counseling groups in this succinct and highly readable book. A must for all those wanting to develop their skills in this area!”

Rhonda Cash, School Psychologist
National School District, National City, CA

“This book provides not only a practical foundation for strength-based, solution-focused group counseling, but also insights that can be generalized to enhance all our interactions with students and staff. For those well seasoned in SFBC and those new to this orientation, it is a exceptional resource for creating change.”

Sandi Miller, School Psychologist
Western Placer Unified School District, Lincoln, CA
Key features
  • The book is filled with examples of real students encountering real problems
  • It includes the nuts and bolts for initiating and sustaining group counseling sessions
  • The author has years of experience with students and speaks from a "been there" perspective
  • This fills a real gap in counseling practice—the implemention of solution-focused group counseling
  • The author includes sample forms and scripts to help make group counseling sessions successful

Sample Materials & Chapters

Preface

Chapter 1


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ISBN: 9781452273518

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ISBN: 9781412970976
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