'Solution-Focused Groupwork (2001) was a major contribution to the literature on group work. It has been one of this author's most influential books. The Second Edition contains much new material including the uses of 'problem talk', an activity normally avoided by solution-focused therapists. Preparation for groups, client motivation and collaboration are all explored in detail. The role of (or necessity for?) social time to be built into the therapy model is an interesting and novel idea. Suggestions are made for client evaluation and for creative exercises to enhance the group process. All in all, the result is a valuable and readable new edition' - Dr Alasdair J Macdonald 'Enlightening, clearly written, and helpfully presented...The book echoes what Solution-Focused Groupwork is all about - being practical and optimistic about human potential' - David Jaques, Author of Learning in Groups 'A fund of practical wisdom which will give confidence and encouragement to everyone trying to run groups along solution-focused lines' - Bill O'Connell, Focus on Solutions Limited, Birmingham 'John Sharry has drawn on a combination of extensive experience in running groups and a thorough understanding of current developments to produce an inspiring and practical guide to this powerful way of helping people to change.
The last twenty years has seen the creation of a 'community of ideas' linked to narrative therapy and community work. This book describes ways of linking practitioners through the written word; ways of hosting conferences as community events; and ways of organising training programs that are congruent with narrative ideas. More info
There has been much written about teams with an ongoing debate about the primacy of environment or dynamics as the most important element to effective teams. Yet the need for groups to be able to consistently tap into the collective intelligence present in the team is more and more important. This requires teams to move beyond cooperation, goodwill and consensus and be able to challenge individual and collective assumptions to see new alternatives. This book provides a simple but elegant model to understand how teams move past the mediocrity... More info
This wide-ranging collection of essays explores how social work theories are applied to practice in Australia and New Zealand and offers insights into the cultural issues involved in social work. The authors discuss the challenges faced by indigenous populations and ethnic minority groups and how they can gain control over their situations, and offer valuable guidance on cross-cultural work. The authors present the key principles of four theoretical approaches frequently used in social work - ecological systems, community development, strengths-based approaches and attachment theories. They explain how each of these... More info