ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a tour through the essential historical and foundational issues of group work, leading the reader to appreciate the value of these approaches. It presents an overview of the four main types of group formats categorized by the Association for Specialists in Group Work: task groups, psychoeducational groups, counseling groups, and psychotherapy groups. Task groups occur in a variety of settings, from schools and mental health agencies to large businesses and corporations. Task groups are designed around accomplishing a specific goal. Various types of counseling groups may be offered in a multitude of settings, and participation can have multiple benefits for members of any age. Counseling groups for children may focus on adjusting to parental divorce or dealing with other types of loss. Counseling groups are also helpful for adolescents. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
