The Achieving Success Everyday Group Counseling Model: Providing Social Support for Homeless Students* in School Settings

The Achieving Success Everyday (ASE) group counseling model is discussed to support homeless students' unique and complex needs. The phenomenology of student homelessness is reviewed, as well as how residential and environmental instability negatively impacts students' academic and psychosocial functioning. Social support for homeless students is also discussed. Next, the ASE group model is described in detail and existing research on its application in school settings is reviewed. Implications for research and practice are provided as they may influence future efforts to support homeless students. Session examples are used to help school personnel apply the ASE model in their respective schools and communities.

Patients' Perspective on the Important Therapeutic Factors in Integrated Systemic Group Therapy: A Phenomenological Approach

This qualitative research refers to the patients' perspective on the therapeutic factors operating in long-term group therapy of an integrated systemic orientation (ISO). Semi-structured interviews of members of two long-term ISO psychotherapy groups were conducted in three phases: the first, second, and third year of their group psychotherapy. The research sample consisted of 13 participants. The data was analyzed through an interpretative phenomenological analysis. The results confirmed the classification of Yalom's therapeutic factors. However, an additional therapeutic factor emerged, the "development of pluralistic perspectives" that appears more clearly from the second year of therapy onward. Moreover, from the second year onward, the categories "existential factors" and "interpersonal learning" get strengthened. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

The impact of reappraisal skills on aggressive children

The study investigated the effects of reappraisal training on aggressive children. A pre-post-follow-up, experimental-control design was used to evaluate the impact of a small-group intervention that offered practice in reappraisal skills to 89 aggressive children (another 60 were wait-listed). Results indicate that treatment children benefitted in these skills more than their peers. Based on multiple sources of the report (child, parent, teacher), results also point to reduced aggression, anger, anxiety, and social problems, and an increase in self-regulation, all of which sustained at follow-up 7-8 months later. Finally, many outcomes were correlated with benefits in reappraisal skills. Qualitative data gleaned from the study supports these benefits and sheds light on group processes that were helpful. The findings suggest that reappraisal skills training is a useful intervention with aggressive children and can be successfully delivered in small groups.

A Brief History of Group Therapy as a Field and the Representation of Women in Its Development

This article explores the place of women in the specialization of group psychotherapy, particularly their representation in journal publications, both in topical coverage related to women as well as in editorial participation and leadership. We first present a brief history of group psychotherapy to provide overall context. Next, we present major cross-cutting themes related to women and group work that emerged from our review of nine peer-reviewed journals deemed most relevant to our investigation. We end with observations and a call for greater inclusion of women in the group psychotherapy literature.

Individual Versus Group Physical Therapy for Patients with Low Back Pain: Outcomes and Process (Therapeutic Factors)

Low back pain (LBP) is a common health problem usually treated individually, and requires costly physical therapy. Group treatment, besides being cost-effective, provides psychological support to the recovery of people who struggle with a physically disabling condition. The current study compares individual and group treatment of LBP, measuring differences in outcomes and process data (therapeutic factors). The study included 158 patients who participated in group (n = 71) and individual (n = 87) physical therapy, using a pre-post-follow-up design. Results indicated a significant improvement in all outcome measures at postintervention in both treatment settings, with no difference between them, which were sustained at follow-up. On a clinical level, a few differences were found: At postintervention, minimal clinically important improvement in perceived functioning and level of pain was greater among patients treated individually. On the other hand, at follow-up, only group participants gained additionally in perceived functioning and in fear avoidance. Therapeutic factors of other- versus self-focus and problem definition-change were more prevalent in group treatment.

Therapeutic Factors in Adolescents' Groups With and Without Movies

The study explores the therapeutic factors in two types of group interventions--film therapy (n = 69) and affective support therapy (n = 48) for Arab adolescents (ages 13-14) in Israel. Film therapy is a relatively new method for groups, aimed at enhancing adolescents' engagement in the process of group counseling. Six-hundred students from 11 schools were screened for the level of parent-adolescent conflict, based on a self-report measure. The 117 students who met the cutoff point constituted our sample. They were randomly divided into 12 small groups (6 in each type of intervention). A previous study reported the outcomes of these two interventions, showing equal progress in both groups (compared to control). The current study explores process variables, specifically therapeutic factors, in an attempt to enhance our understanding of those outcomes. Results indicated common therapeutic factors across both types of intervention. The factors of relationship-climate and other- versus self-focus were ranked the highest and, contrary to expectations, were significantly higher in affective support therapy than in film therapy.

Shaping Social and Psychological Competencies or Intervening in a Crisis? Sociotherapists’ Experiences of Helping Adolescents in Poland

Sociotherapists’ experiences of helping adolescents within the framework of sociotherapy were examined. There were 12 participants involved (three males), who were active sociotherapists from big cities in Poland. They were aged 30–60 years, with at least 4 years’ experience in the profession. We applied a qualitative approach to obtain in-depth, socio-contextual descriptions of the sociotherapists’ experiences. Interviews activated by a narrative stimulus were conducted. Both inductive (inspired by thematic analysis and a categorical-content perspective in narrative analysis) and deductive (based on theory of basic narrative forms) content analytic approaches were used to identify key helping factors. Two general themes revealed different paths of arranging help for adolescents in sociotherapeutic groups: (1) shaping of psychological competencies; (2) intervening in crises, encompassing dramatic actions going beyond process-based group work. Sociotherapy providers should have appropriate specialisms and procedures to implement the necessary interventions, as they go beyond the scope of the group-work aspect of sociotherapy.

The "Voice" and Perspectives of Adolescents Participating in a Short-Term Psychotherapy Group

Group psychotherapy is an ideal choice for adolescents who engage in mental health treatment. It is considered a "natural" fit, as adolescents are focused on their peer group. This research study presents the effectiveness of an adolescent psychotherapy group with an interpersonal approach, using their "voices" and perspectives. A qualitative descriptive design was selected. Semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with eight adolescents who attended a process-oriented psychotherapy group for a period of three months. The data were analyzed using manifest content analysis. All eight participants described their experiences and the meaning of their experiences. A number of therapeutic factors emerged from the data consistent with Yalom's theoretical framework. The participants also described a number of benefits and identified several recommendations for group therapists.

An Exploratory Study of Member Attraction, Climate, and Behavioral Outcomes of Anger-Coping Group Therapy for Children with Emotional Disturbance

This exploratory study examined member attraction, group climate, and behavioral outcomes of anger-coping group therapy with children in an urban school. Two facilitators co-led a 6-week cognitive-behavioral group intervention with five children who were identified with either emotional disturbance (ED) or exhibited difficulty with anger management. Pretest and posttest ratings on the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC) were gathered from children, parents, and teachers. Children also completed the Group Attitude Scale (GAS) after the first, middle, and last group session. All group sessions were videotaped, and three independent observers viewed the tapes and completed the Group Climate Questionnaire–Short Form (GCQ-S) following each session. Results indicated that the children formed a cohesive, healthy functioning group. Parents indicated significant improvement in children's behavior on the BASC, although teachers and children did not note these changes. Clinical implications for interventions for children with ED and directions for future research are discussed

Recollections of Being in Child Expressive Arts Group Therapy: A Qualitative Study of Adult Former Clients' Conceptions of Their Therapy as Children

The current study aims to explore, through the eyes of adult former clients, the experience of being in expressive arts group therapy (EAGT) as a child. By focusing on the memories of adults, the study allowed the exploration of former clients' understanding of what the therapy was about and its effects on their lives. Semi-structured open-ended interviews were conducted with 20 adult former clients who, as children, had participated for at least one year in EAGT. Findings point toward the background of the empathic, attuned, safety, together with the fostering of the capacity to enter into spontaneous creative states, as central themes in participant' recollections of the therapeutic process. Further findings relate to the implicit and long-term quality of the therapeutic effect.

Processes and outcomes in prevention-focused time-limited groups for girls

Processes and outcomes in 8-week prevention-focused, school-based groups for preadolescent girls were assessed in a naturalistic study. Specifically, whether such groups would facilitate their social-emotional development and whether affiliative processes in the groups were related to outcome were explored. In addition to expecting the groups to be effective, it was hypothesized that affiliative processes would be directly related to outcome and, more particularly, that increased positive affiliative feelings from the group toward the individual would be more predictive of positive treatment outcome than increased positive feelings from the individual toward the group. While findings did not support these hypotheses linking process to outcome, ancillary analyses revealed that different patterns of affiliation over time (i.e., U-shape pattern versus inverted U-shape pattern) distinguished the high- versus low-outcome participants, respectively.

Watchfully checking rapport with the Primary Child Health Care nurses - a theoretical model from the perspective of parents of foreign origin

Background

Worldwide, multicultural interaction within health care seems to be challenging and problematic. This is also true among Primary Child Health Care nurses (PCHC nurses) in the Swedish Primary Child Health Care services (PCHC services). Therefore, there was a need to investigate the parents' perspective in-depth.

Aim

The aim of the study was to construct a theoretical model that could promote further understanding of the variety of experiences of parents of foreign origin regarding their interaction with the PCHC nurses at PCHC services.

Method

The study used Grounded Theory Methodology. Twenty-one parents of foreign origin in contact with PCHC servicies were interviewed.

Results

In our study parents were watchfully checking rapport, i.e. if they could perceive sympathy and understanding from the PCHC nurses. This was done by checking the nurse's demeanour and signs of judgement. From these interviews we created a theoretical model illustrating the interactive process between parents and PCHC nurses.

Conclusion

We found it to be of utmost importance for parents to be certain that it was possible to establish rapport with the PCHC nurse. If not, disruptions in the child's attendance at PCHC services could result. PCHC nurses can use the theoretical model resulting from this study as a basis for understanding parents, avoiding a demeanour and judgements that may cause misunderstandings thus promoting high-quality interaction in PCHC services.

Using therapeutic board games to promote child mental health

This article focuses on group work with children using a board game format. Combining the principles of group work and board games helps to engage and motivate children and adolescents to address and work through their difficulties. Lifegames are a series of six therapeutic board games developed for group work with children and adolescents who encounter adversity in their life as a consequence of bereavement, family break up, poor relationships, bullying, chronic illness or obesity. The games facilitate the understanding and disclosure of the complex feelings experienced by children and young people when they are confronted with traumatic life events. The games encourage and assist the participants to obtain and maintain behavioural change. Lifegames are a means to assist professionals in their group work with children and adolescents.

Use of therapeutic factors for the evaluation of results in support groups

OBJECTIVE: To identifyg the evidence of Therapeutic Factors (TF) for the systematized evaluation of a support group. METHODS: Descriptive study developed in a hospital in Goiânia GO, in 2005/2006. Ten sessions of the Inpatient Family Support Group (GRAF) were registered with a digital recorder, field journal and a check list filled out by the coordinators in order to identify TF observed in the participation of each family member. Later, these records were cross-checked so as to analyze this participation. RESULTS: GRAF had an average of 6.9 participants per session. The following TF were identified: universality, imparting of information, cohesiveness, existential factors and instillation of hope. CONCLUSION: These TF were useful in the evaluation of the GRAF results, suggesting their convenience to evaluate results in other support groups.