<p>"Whittingham’s text is a rich, accessible, and creative synthesis of the evidence base that guides the expert practice of focused brief group therapy (FBGT). FBGT is tailored to real-world, time-sensitive, clinical environments. The FBGT model comes to life through Whittingham’s illuminating the central importance of interpersonal communication and connectedness, and the powerful ways group therapy fosters that connectedness. This book will be of great value to both beginners and experienced group therapists, students, and teachers." - Molyn Leszcz, MD, FRCPC, CGP, AGPA-DF, Professor of Psychiatry, <i>University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada</i>, and Past-President, <i>American Group Psychotherapy Association</i>. </p> <p> "This book is an incredible resource for group therapists of all levels of experience—from graduate students to advanced group therapists. Whittingham seamlessly integrates evidence-based theories and assessment into a new model of focused brief group psychotherapy that offers short-term group treatment to people with diverse needs, including interpersonal struggles and loneliness. His model can be applied to groups in private practice, counselling centers, and hospital settings. He focuses on research-based assessment, thoughtful screening strategies, and important interventions for before and after group therapy begins. Readers will be able to quickly apply his model as he has provided many interesting and useful clinical examples throughout his book. I will definitely recommend this book to my students learning group therapy and to colleagues who are looking to strengthen their group practice." - Cheri L. Marmarosh, PhD, licensed psychologist in private practice and associate professor, <i>George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States</i> </p> <p> "Whittingham takes an empirically sound model of interpersonal interactions and applies it skilfully to create an innovative brief focused group therapy. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to do brief group therapy that goes beyond simply educating patients and that harnesses the power of groups to create lasting change. Whittingham blends the best research evidence and clinical wisdom in his focused brief group therapy model." - Giorgio A. Tasca, PhD, Professor, <i>University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada</i> </p>
Interpersonal relationships are an essential component of our physical and mental health, but developing meaningful relationships in today's world is an ever-present struggle. This book introduces mental health providers to focused brief group therapy (FBGT), and shows how it can help reduce a patient's distress from loneliness and disconnection. Blending the art and science of therapy, this semi-structured model enables therapists to improve their client's existing interpersonal relationships, or develop new ones.
Part I offers an overview of the underlying constructs, integrated theory, and overall structure of FBGT. Part II provides strategies and techniques for implementation, and discusses the future of FBGT and its applications.
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Overview and Rationale
I. THE MODEL
1. Theoretical Underpinnings
2. Focused Brief Group Therapy Structure, Parameters, and Mechanisms of Change
3. Interpersonal Scale Descriptions
4. Leadership Attitudes, Foci, and Skills
II. THE MODEL IN PRACTICE
5. Preparing for Focused Brief Group Therapy: Referrals and Assessment Integration
6. Therapy, Pregroup Preparation, and Screening: The Importance of the TPS Session
7. Leading the First Two Sessions
8. Leading the Middle and Later Sessions
9. Making Sense of Client Change: Triangulation of Data
10. Debriefing as an Essential Bookend
11. Research and Future Directions
References
Index
About the Author