GROUP COUNSELING: STRATEGIES AND SKILLS, Eighth Edition, provides an in-depth look at group counseling with an emphasis on practical knowledge and techniques for effective group leadership. The authors discuss the many facets of group counseling and provide examples of how each skill can be applied in a wide range of group settings to produce effective and efficient group sessions. The book focuses on the skills necessary for starting and ending a session, as well as on how to make the middle phase productive and meaningful. Its practical, active approach is supported by nearly 50 video segments-including several new ones-that demonstrate specific skills as well as the integration of multiple skills and techniques. Through its integration of traditional theories and concepts of group process with thoughtful strategies and specific skills, this reader-friendly book and video clips meet the needs of practicing or future counselors, social workers, psychologists, and others who are leading or preparing to lead groups in a variety of settings.

1. Introduction.
2. Stages of Groups, Group Process, and Therapeutic Forces.
3. Purpose of Groups.
4. Planning.
5. Getting Started: The Beginning State and Beginning Phase.
6. Basic Skills for Group Leaders.
7. Focus.
8. Cutting Off and Drawing Out.
9. Rounds and Dyads.
10. Exercises.
11. Introducing, Conducting, and Processing Exercises.
12. Leading the Middle Stage of a Group.
13. Using Counseling Theories in Groups.
14. Counseling and Therapy in Groups.
15. Closing a Session or Group.
16. Dealing with Problem Situations.
17. Working with Specific Populations.

GROUP COUNSELING: STRATEGIES AND SKILLS, Eighth Edition, provides an in-depth look at group counseling with an emphasis on practical knowledge and techniques for effective group leadership. The authors discuss the many facets of group counseling and provide examples of how each skill can be applied in a wide range of group settings to produce effective and efficient group sessions. The book focuses on the skills necessary for starting and ending a session, as well as on how to make the middle phase productive and meaningful. Its practical, active approach is supported by nearly 50 video segments-including several new ones-that demonstrate specific skills as well as the integration of multiple skills and techniques. Through its integration of traditional theories and concepts of group process with thoughtful strategies and specific skills, this reader-friendly book and video clips meet the needs of practicing or future counselors, social workers, psychologists, and others who are leading or preparing to lead groups in a variety of settings. New advanced video clips emphasize the integration of multiple skills outlined in the text. In addition, new longer video clips demonstrate the skills being used in the beginning, middle, and closing phases of sessions, and show theories being applied in a variety of ways to make groups more engaging. New material on motivational interviewing has been added to Chapter 13, “Using Counseling Theories in Groups,” and new guidance on working with military groups appears in Chapter 17, “Working with Specific Populations.” Chapter 18, “Issues in Group Counseling,” has been eliminated, with key content integrated into appropriate chapters. For instance, material on legal issues now appears in Chapter 1 in response to feedback from users and reviewers who felt that such material should be introduced early in the course. Information on co-leading now appears in Chapter 6, “Basic Skills for Group Leaders,” supported by a new video clip. One of the most hands on, practical group texts available, this book offers many examples on how to lead groups, how to deal with problem members, and how to conduct therapy in a group. Examples also illustrate how to begin and close a session, how to draw out and cut off members, and how to conduct exercises in meaningful ways. The book includes material on the practical application of numerous counseling theories in group settings as well as on the art of leading counseling and therapy groups.