The Group Context

This book, part of a series from the International Library of Group Analysis, explores how the theory of group dynamics can be transferred to different areas of counselling, education, small and large group psychotherapy and industry. As an introductory textbook, it aims to present the complex ideas underlying group processes – in particular, psychodynamic theory – in an accessible way using numerous practical examples and anecdotes. The author, an experienced social worker, emphasises the relationship of parts to the whole, looking at the connections between the individual and the group then moving outwards to explore broader social relationships’. – British Journal of Occupational Therapy ‘ In a very short time, Sheila Thompson’s book, The Group Context, has become the primary reference material for one of my supervision groups. Her understanding of the group pressures we all live with, and her descriptions of counselling in groups and larger groups, bring theory and practice alive. She looks with great clarity at experiential training, educational groups, teams, institutions, families and individuals’. – Counselling ‘ What are the similarities and differences between group psychotherapy, group counselling, and educational group work? How does the group context determine the way we work with individuals? What do family groups have in common with other kinds of groups, and how does the family group context influence approaches to family therapy? What happens to the group dynamic when groups enlarge? These are the sorts of questions this book asks eloquently and thoughtfully. The questions are answered by means of detailed comparisons and contrasts backed up with illustrative vignettes . . . The beginner would be hard put to find a better introduction to the work of Foulkes and other pioneers of small group work; Bion, Ezriel, Whitaker, Agazarian, and Abercrombie. The philosophy of each is captured in a few