Child Group Psychotherapy in the School at the Threshold of a New Millennium

Abstract

This article reviews existing studies in child group interventions, including educational, counseling, and psychotherapy groups. It highlights both outcome and process research, regarding the different types of groups, and offers implications for practitioners as well as for future research.

Group Work with Preschool Children: Effect on Emotional Awareness and Behavior∗

“…Although each group consisted of 75 minutes, the amount of time spent on each component varied depending on the responses of the group and the activities. Children in particular tend to be open to interaction and cathartic expression even very early on in the group (Shechtman, 2002). Several examples of activities and processes follow.…”

“…Existent literature further indicates that common and effective types of group intervention used with children are psycho-educational (Akos, 2000), cognitive-behavioral (Alvord & Grados, 2005;Larkin & Thyer, 1999), and social or relational-based (Davey & Neff, 2001;DeRosier, 2004;Muris et al, 2005;Quayle & Holsworth, 1997;Shechtman & Gluk, 2005). The content and structure of the intervention employed in this study included characteristics of all of the above and due to the preventive and inclusive nature of the group is most appropriately classified as an ''educational=guidance group,'' although this particular guidance group was uncharacteristically led by a licensed professional counselor, not the preschool teacher (Shechtman, 2002). Waliski,Carlson / GROUP WORK WITH PRESCHOOL CHILDREN 5 Research, as outlined in the above section, indicates that group work is a particularly appropriate intervention with children (Hoag & Burlingame, 1997;Kulic et al, 2004).…”

“…Without providing interventions to decrease aggression and increase age appropriate social interactions, children are at risk of future social and emotional difficulties (Ladd & Burgess, 2001;Sebane, 2003;Werner & Crick, 2004). An examination of efficacious intervention for such preschoolers leads to the consideration of group work (Shechtman, 2002). Hoag and Burlingame (1997) conducted a meta-analytic study of research regarding the use of group work with children and adolescents and found that the most common issues addressed were behavior problems, social skills, and divorce adjustment.…”

Value of Family and Group Counseling Models Where Grandparents Function as Parents to their Grandchildren

“…Given that peer experiences are a critical child developmental variable, research supports group work with homogenous groups, such as those involving children raised by grandparents, because of the shared social and behavioral challenges (see Shechtman 2002;Yalom 1995). Interacting with group members and the counselor helps to build relationships with others towards establishing a sense of connectedness with a valuable social network.…”

“…The children are likely to receive therapeutic benefits from self-disclosure as well as the sense of universality that helps them realize that several of their peers share similar experiences. The group facilitator can maximize therapeutic outcomes through facilitating interpersonal learning, recapitulation of the primary family unit, instillation of hope, altruism, and cohesiveness that lends to feelings of belonging and empowerment (see Shechtman 2002;Yalom 1995).…”