An Introduction to Group Work Practice

The 8th Edition of An Introduction to Group Work Practice offers a thorough examination of group work practice through a generalist practice perspective. Written by Ronald W. Toseland and Robert F. Rivas, this textbook prepares undergraduate students, graduate students, educators, and active practitioners to facilitate group processes across diverse settings.

The text structures its presentation around the functional progression of group work across fourteen distinct chapters. Coverage begins with historical developments and fundamental group dynamics, moving into careful group planning, initial session structure, and detailed member assessment. The authors then detail practical intervention approaches, highlighting both foundation and specialized methods for treatment groups as well as task groups, prior to concluding with ending strategies and formal evaluation methods.

A key focus of this revision is the integration of current research regarding virtual groups alongside updated guidance for offline settings. The text provides a balanced foundational reference designed for university instruction and ongoing field practice.