The E.S.S.E. Group Model

Abstract

Social work practitioners today are having to deal with ever-increasing numbers of families falling into the at risk category. At the same time, the issues and problems facing these family units are often overwhelming and challenging to resolve. The E.S.S.E. Group Model, outlined in this article, is a new research based approach that was designed to address the most relevant concerns facing families today. It is a unique program that combines family life education within a support group framework. Initially, the model was developed for several school districts in the midwest.Counseling personnel had identified a need for a parent training program that would elicit higher levels of participation. The E.S.S.E. Model accomplishes that goal through its structured yet individualized curriculum along with its parallel and conjoint group set-up. The specific content and process guidelines of this new approach make it easy for clinicians to duplicate in a wide variety of settings. One of the model's curriculums is outlined in detail in this article.Readers will find that the E.S.S.E. program serves as an excellent example of the type of group intervention needed today to help revitalize at-risk families.