ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on counseling and psychotherapy groups aimed at children who often demonstrate exceptional needs, it is strongly recommended that all these children be given the chance to participate in a group, in an effort to help them overcome their difficulties. Much of the success or failure in group depends on the work done in the preplanning and forming stages. Children and adolescents are unique participants, different than adults in group psychotherapy, particularly those children with severe problems. The entire debate about effective screening may be less relevant to children and adolescents, as the real issue is how to give a chance to all children who need counseling and psychotherapy. The professional literature on group therapy with children tends to favor focal groups—that is, homogeneity of problem. The chapter argues that individual differences related to attachment may be a promising screening device, as is observation of behavior in the initial stage of the group.
