An outstanding “how-to” resource for leading adolescent groups, greatly expanded from the first edition and in a new 8½" x 11" format with reproducible exercises for unlimited use by the purchaser with students. The authors illustrate how to become a successful teen group leader by following four basic guidelines: R - Reflect what teens say and what they communicate nonverbally E - Explore what’s going on. Don’t assume you know their feelings. A - Attend to emotions behind the words and behaviors. L - Loan teens tools to help them solve problems. Supplied with a bounty of ideas and tips for facilitating adolescent groups, this book is a must for social workers, teachers, counselors, and other youth workers who venture into the world of teenagers in order to help them through it all. Reviews “For over five years I have used the original edition of Get REAL: A Practical Guide to Leading Adolescent Groups in a graduate course on group psychotherapy. The original edition was an excellent, concise and practical guide to working with teens in a variety of contexts. My students have appreciated the straightforward language, the helpful examples and the applicable techniques provided by Ms. Brandes and Ms. Ingold. The new edition, with some important improvements and the addition of three new chapters, promises to be even better than the original at helping students develop the skills needed to run effective adolescents groups. I intend to make this new edition a required text in my class next Fall.” -Gordon G. Cappelletty, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Lenoir-Rhyne University “This new edition of Get REAL provides any professional working with teens a blueprint for how to be successful and truly meet the needs of young people whether in a group setting or one on one. It is filled with realistic and relevant lessons learned from one of the most skilled facilitators that I know. Clearly written, full of examples and concrete strategies, Get REAL should be on every youth worker’s desk. New chapters bring it into the 21st century addressing such issues as cyberbullying and social media. The introductory chapters on adolescent development should be on a list of required reading for anyone who works with young people as they provide the foundation for understanding and being able to listen and communicate with teens. Long overdue, this revision is timely and critical to the skill and competency of all youth work professionals. Run to buy a copy!!!!” -Barbara Huberman, Director of Outreach and Education, Advocates for Youth, Washington,. DC Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION Using REAL Skills with Teenagers Developmental Issues in Adolescence and Implications for Group CHAPTER 1: Self-Consciousness, Self-Focus, Self-Absorption, or ME, ME, ME! Tips for Group Leaders A Sampler of Get-Acquainted Activities, Icebreakers, and Rounds CHAPTER 2 - The Need to Belong and Be Accepted by Peers Positive Peers Group Selection Building Relationships Tips for Group Leaders Activities in Dyads CHAPTER 3 - Concrete Thinking and The Need for Success Tips for Group Leaders Sample Group Rules Suggested Parent-Teen Activities Activities for Goal Setting Activities for Reinforcing Concepts and Content Activities for Building Listening Skills, Cooperation, Communication, and Group Trust Activities for Dealing with Hurt and Loss Activities for Dealing with Feelings, Self-Worth, and Labels Activities for Reinforcing Refusal Skills CHAPTER 4 - The Need for Independence and Exploration of Adult Roles Tips for Group Leaders Activities to Promote Independence Preparing for a Job Helpful Tips When Applying for a Job CHAPTER 5 - Electronic Media and Teens: Love It or Hate It Activity to Explore Electronic Media and Level of Risk Electronic Media Survey Cyberbullying and Relationship Aggression CHAPTER 6 - Group Closure and Celebration Activities for Closure What Will I Miss Most... A Letter to Our Group CHAPTER 7 - Lessons We’ve Learned The Value of a Coleader Boundaries Documentation of Group Interactions Conclusion ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR WORKING WITH ADOLESCENTS About the Authors Beth Harris Brandes, MSW, oversees child welfare, mental health, residential, prevention, and child wellbeing services for Catawba County Social Services in western North Carolina. Beth has led adolescent groups in schools, community programs, and residential treatment centers in North Carolina and Georgia. Beth served as social work consultant to the North Carolina Division of Maternal and Child Health, providing guidance to adolescent health centers and maternal outreach programs. She currently serves on the National Children’s Alliance Board and consults frequently on program development, group facilitation skills, and organizational change. She lives in Hickory, North Carolina with her husband Rand; their adult son, Blake lives in New York City. Judy Bost Ingold, MA, has worked with young people in correctional, residential, and school-based settings in North Carolina. Judy currently leads therapeutic groups in the TEEN UP program, which serves over 400 middle- and high-school students annually. Judy’s expertise in group work with male youthful offenders and middle-school boys has been recognized across the Southeast. Judy is a popular presenter on group dynamics, adolescent self-inflicted injury, gang affiliations, and electronic media. She has received the June Stallings Award for her contributions to adolescent pregnancy prevention in North Carolina. Judy lives in Hickory, North Carolina with her husband, Charles; their adult son Daniel, is a 2012 University of NC graduate.
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