Group Leadership Skills for Nurses & Health Professionals

By Carolyn Chambers Clark

Book Overview

Designated a Doody's Core Title!

This book provides a comprehensive and insightful overview of group leadership skills, applicable to both therapeutic and work-related groups, alike."
Elizabeth McCay, RN, PD
Ryerson University

[A] masterful guide that teaches us to gain the most from each group setting. Whether we are in our private practice or involved in a committee, this work gives us an excellent format to follow."
William S. Bezmen, PhD, RN, CS
Director, Pathways to Health,
Holistic Treatment and Education Center

This is an excellent guide for key principles of leadership in managing group dynamics. Each chapter is well designed and supported with prominent research in the area which supports the theory development with current and historical evidence." Score: 97, 5 stars

--Doody's

Group Leadership Skills provides a solid foundation for using group concepts, theory, and research with a wide variety of groups and group settings. With this book, nurses and health professionals will learn the essential group process skills, including differentiating content from process, working with tension and anxiety, and enhancing cohesiveness. Clark presents practical strategies to improve the effectiveness of group leaders, such as helping groups solve problems and build teams. This edition is now newly expanded to apply to a diverse collection of groups. The strategies and techniques can be used with students, families, staff, codependency groups, depression groups, rape and sexual abuse groups, domestic violence groups, and many more.
Key Features:
Contains practical strategies for group leaders including conflict resolution, suggested ice-breakers, and discussion questions Includes new "Exercise Simulations" for many chapters, including chapters on working with older adults, focus groups, organizations, and communities Includes new feature, "Clinical Leader Challenges," which asks learners to apply theory and concepts to group situations"

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826104584
• ISBN13: 9780826104588
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: Springer Publishing Company
• Length: 376 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.2" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A solid and comprehensive guide to group work

Now in an updated and expanded fourth edition, Group Leadership Skills by therapist and group work consultant Carolyn Chambers Clark is a solid and comprehensive guide to group work and organization, which was originally intended to be used as a text for nurses, then became expanded so as to be applicable to all business and social circles. Individual chapters address group problem solving, qualities needed from an effective group leader, the importance of recording and analyzing group processes, working with focal groups, and much more. Group Leadership Skills is very strongly recommended reading for anyone whose personal or professional activities involve them in group work situations or scenarios.

A Clear Approach

Carolyn Chambers Clark's book, Group Leadership Skills 4th Edition, is unique because it teaches the basics of group process through clear description and well-thought out exercises to help the reader practice and analyze each concept. It is intended for a wide variety of helping professions including nurses, mental health professionals and educators. Award winning author, Dr. Clark, speaks about how to work with the anxiety and conflict found in normal group process, as well as problems such as scapegoating and silence. She includes check lists and forms that can be used for supervision and analysis. Sections on older adults, focus groups, organizations and communities make this book a good reference for special populations as well. I have led groups in community and mental health settings for many years and would highly recommend Group Leadership Skills as one of the most complete and readable books I've seen on the subject. I give it 5 stars.Martha Crites MC

Excellent book on leadership skills!

While this book focuses on nurses who lead group sessions, it can be used by anyone who is leading or a member of a group. What I liked best was the practical advise and the great exercises at the end of each chapter. If you're a new group leader, the simulations will build confidence and ensure your group is a success!