ABSTRACT
Individual problem solving is a key dynamic of mutual aid (see Chapter 2). In fact, because of their ability to bring together a variety of ideas, feelings, and perspectives, groups are particularly well suited to that task. Ironically, however, never does mutual aid seem to be in greater jeopardy than when it comes time for a group to do just that. Jeopardized by what might be characterized as a series of misunderstandings, when it comes time for a group to help its members work on issues of personal concern, mutual aid often falls by the wayside altogether as members, one after another, “go” or present their problems for practitioner feedback instead of using one another’s problems to try to reach common ground.
