Group Interventions in Schools

“The authors provide detailed strategies for practitioners who wish to implement a parent and student group concurrently, although the tools can be used for those that may need to run separate parent or student groups….The text functions as an easy-to-read how-to guide for professionals who wish to incorporate group interventions within their practice. The authors provide a layout that is easy to navigate, so practitioners with a range of experience with group interventions could utilize the text to address their specific needs. The text can serve as a helpful troubleshooting guide for practitioners, as the authors make efforts to discuss common barriers to implementation (e.g., lack of group participation, when parents do not return consent forms). Overall, this text can be useful for early career practitioners and more seasoned professionals who wish to incorporate group interventions within their practice.”

—NASP Communiqué


“Practitioners will find this useful resource helpful and engaging. Reproducible handouts are in the book and available on the web; the handouts and worksheets for in-group tasks, homework sheets, and documents such as sample letters and permission forms. The level of detail in the book sufficiently addresses specific issues and tasks in the group process. These are thoroughly and thoughtfully addressed beginning with the planning of a group and garnering interest in it, and continuing through each step in the process to conclusion of the group and its evaluation….Although it appears that the primary audience for this book is school psychologists, clinical psychologists will benefit from this book because attention is given to navigating the school setting, which is a practice setting that noticeably differs from clinical and community settings….Group Interventions in Schools is a well-thought-out guide and resource for practitioners. Direction is given for managing the challenges of groups and avoiding their pitfalls….A welcome addition to the professional libraries of practitioners and could be used as a text in academic training programs as well as externships and internships.”

—PsycCRITIQUES


“Drawing from more than a decade of experience in implementing evidence-based group interventions to promote students' positive social, emotional, and behavioral functioning, this is the definitive resource on the topic. No other book offers this kind of pragmatic, step-by-step guidance on all aspects of planning, implementing, and evaluating group interventions for children and youth. It includes sample dialogues, frequently asked questions, tips for promoting engagement and managing behavior, reproducible tools, ways to handle common challenges, and more. Congratulations to the authors for this invaluable contribution, which no doubt will increase the successful implementation and positive impacts of evidence-based group interventions in schools.”

—Mark D. Weist, PhD, Clinical–Community and School Psychology Programs, University of South Carolina


“Fills a gap in our ability to effectively implement manualized group intervention programs in the 'real world.' Reading this book is like being in a conversation with experienced group therapists who are providing nuggets of good practice based on their extensive experience. Especially valuable chapters address specific ways to manage difficult problems during group sessions—for example, how to provide consequences when children break group rules. Uniquely engaging aspects of the book are the end-of-chapter reflection questions and role-play scenarios. The role-plays include example scripted answers that allow clinicians to 'listen in' on how the authors would have handled challenging situations. This book is very useful for trainees learning how to run groups in school settings, as well as for experienced clinicians.”

—John E. Lochman, PhD, ABPP, Professor and Doddridge Saxon Chairholder in Clinical Psychology, University of Alabama


“The book spells out detailed instructions for flawless group implementation. All of the nuances of running groups are covered. I wish this one-of-a-kind, easy-to-follow book had been available when I was first conducting groups in the school setting, and I highly recommend it to other professionals. It would be perfect for use in the field or as part of a graduate course.”

—Kimberly David, PhD, private practice, Lafayette, Louisiana


“An excellent addition to the group therapy literature. This book is unique in that it provides specific information about how to conduct group therapy in schools, with students as well as caregivers. The text is the ideal entry point to group therapy for graduate students enrolled in counseling/therapy skills courses, as well as clinical practica or internship placements. Students will gain knowledge by reading the text outside of class and they will gain competence through in-class discussion and role-plays. At the same time, practicing clinicians who are new to school-based group therapy will find information and ideas that can immediately be put to use.”

—Kimberly D. Becker, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine