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Great Groups
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Great Groups
Creating and Leading Effective Groups

First Edition


March 2016 | 320 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

“Hutchinson's Great Groups is a great text! Any student considering leading groups should first read this book. The author's warmth, empathy, and group leadership experience comes across in very engaging and practical ways. This book puts the reader right beside the author as he discusses leading groups.” 
—John Q. Hodges, University of North Alabama 

Great Groups is a practical and inspirational guide that serves as a foundational text to creating and leading groups. Designed primarily for the beginning group worker from any of the helping professions, the book also acts as a valuable resource for those with more group experience. Grounded in theory, but with a strong focus on practice and skill development, David R. Hutchinson strives to connect directly with the reader with his personal and engaging writing style and “learn by doing” approach. Following a hypothetical group from start to finish, with a plethora of examples and reflection exercises in each chapter, the book has a threefold purpose:  

  • to provide the reader with specific tools for creating, understanding, and leading effective groups;
  • to help the reader consider the application of theory to practice; and
  • to spur the reader to seriously consider making group work a cornerstone of his or her professional practice.
 
Chapter 1: An Invitation to Group Work
A Rationale for Group Work

 
Some Practical Reasons for Leading Groups

 
Great Groups Can Do Great Things for People

 
Challenges of Group Work

 
Group Work in Context: A Brief Historical Perspective

 
Great Groups in Action: A Case Vignette

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
For Further Thought

 
References

 
 
Chapter 2: Becoming a Great Group Leader
Effective Group Leadership

 
Characteristics of Effective Group Leaders

 
Other Key Leadership Ingredients: Kindness, Enthusiasm, and Grit

 
The Importance of Your Self-Awareness

 
The Importance of Cultural Awareness

 
The Importance of Professional--Including Ethical--Preparation

 
Effective Group Leadership: Leadership Style

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
For Further Thought

 
References

 
 
Chapter 3: The Varieties of Groups
Different Groups for Different Purposes

 
Process and Content in Groups

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
For Further Thought

 
References

 
 
Chapter 4: Putting Group Theory Into Practice
The Importance of Theory to Your Group Work

 
Group Development and Dynamics

 
What People Need in Groups

 
What People Learn in Groups

 
What People Can Get in Groups That Become Cohesive

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
For Further Thought

 
References

 
 
Chapter 5: Laying the Foundation: Developing Theoretical and Ethical Competency
Counseling Theory and Group Work

 
Establishing an Ethical Foundation for Leading Groups: Considerations for Leaders

 
Ethical Considerations Leaders Have for Members

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
For Further Thought

 
References

 
 
Chapter 6: Planning for a New Group
The New Group

 
Other Planning Concerns

 
Planning for the New Directions Group

 
Reflection Exercise: Planning for a New Group

 
Group Fishbowl Lab Practice: Planning

 
Concluding Thoughts: Some Final Planning Advice

 
For Further Thoughts

 
References

 
Chapter 7: Getting Your Group Started

 
Starting a New Group

 
Essential Tasks: What Needs to Happen in a New Group

 
Essential Skills for Starting a New Group

 
Starting the New Directions Group

 
Reflection and Discussion Exercise: How Would You Start this New Group?

 
Pitfalls to Avoid in Starting a New Group

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
For Further Thought

 
References

 
 
Chapter 8: Your Group Is Engaging
Leading the Engaging Group

 
The Hallmarks of the Engaging Group: Anxiety, Resistance, and Problem

 
Essential Tasks for the Engaging Group

 
Essential Skills for Working With the Engaging Group

 
Some Specific Suggestions on Using Skills for Problem Behaviors

 
The New Directions Group Engages

 
Group Fishbowl Lab Practice

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
For Further Thought

 
References

 
 
Chapter 9: Leading the Working (Norming-Performing) Group
Great Groups in Action: A Group Vignette

 
The Group Settles Into Some Regular Norms and Roles

 
Promoting Positive Norms and Roles: Moving Towards Cohesion

 
Hallmarks of the Group That Is Performing Well

 
Essential Skills for the Working Group

 
The New Directions Group Is Working

 
What to Do When It Is Not Working

 
Group Fishbowl Lab Practice: Using Exercises to Promote Group Cohesion

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
For Further Thought

 
References

 
 
Chapter 10: Ending Your Group
About Endings

 
The Meaning of Endings

 
Your Group's Feelings About Ending

 
Resistance to Ending

 
Unplanned Endings: Dealing With Dropouts

 
How to End Your Group

 
Essential Skills for Ending a Group

 
Ending the New Directions Group

 
Reflection Exercise: Ending a Group

 
Group Fishbowl Lab Practice: Planning for Ending

 
Measuring Success

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
For Further Thought

 
References

 
 
Chapter 11: Groups Across the Life Span
Groups for Children and Adolescents

 
Groups for Women

 
Groups for Men

 
Groups for Older People

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
For Further Thought

 
References

 
 
Chapter 12: Specialized Groups
Groups for People With Addictions Issues

 
Groups for People With Serious, Persistent Mental Illness

 
Groups for People With Issues Related to Violence and Criminality

 
Groups for Victims of Violence

 
Groups for Grieving People

 
Reflection and Group Fishbowl Lab Exercise

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
For Further Thought

 
References

 
 
Chapter 13: Final Thoughts: Taking Care - The Personal and Political
Staying Healhty

 
Reflection and Group Fishbowl Lab Exercise: Focused Awareness of Your Various "Selves"

 
Staying Fresh and Alive - and Avoiding Burnout

 
Becoming and Effective Advocate and Activist

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
For Further Thought

 
References

 

“Hutchinson's Great Groups! is a great text!  Any student considering leading groups should first read this book.  The author's warmth, empathy, and group leadership experience comes across in very engaging and practical ways.  This book puts the reader right beside the author as he discusses leading groups.”

John Q. Hodges
University of North Alabama

“This book teaches the fundamental concepts of group practice while maintaining the readability of a novel.”

Philip Mongan
Radford Unviersity

“A very practical hands-on guide to group facilitation capitalizing on the author’s valuable practice wisdom.”

Tracy A. Marschall
University of Indianapolis

The book is aimed at students who are working towards developing and leading groups... succeeds in offering an in-depth understanding of a wide range of issues that are important to consider when forming and facilitating successful groups, while managing to remain accessible and readable.

Frances Lampert, Counselor and Supervisor
Therapy Today

Easy to read, good content

Dr Paul M Hamilton
School Of Arts Sciences, Univ Of Houston-Victoria
March 19, 2016

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1

Chapter 9


For instructors

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