Book excerpt: The ideal resource for setting up and working with therapy groups Group therapy is an increasingly popular treatment modality for a variety of disorders and client populations. Essentials of Group Therapy provides both professionals and students with a clear overview of the group therapy process, its history and development, and the critical skills required for working effectively with groups. This valuable guide presents several models and techniques for setting up and leading a number of different types of groups, explained with a distinct practitioner focus. As part of the Essentials of Mental Health Practice series, this book provides information mental health professionals need to practice knowledgeably, efficiently, and ethically in today's behavioral healthcare environment. Each concise chapter features numerous callout boxes highlighting key concepts, bulleted points, and extensive illustrative material, as well as "Test Yourself" questions that help you gauge and reinforce your grasp of the information covered. Essentials of Group Therapy focuses on the practical aspects of deciding when and for whom group therapy is effective, building groups for long- and short-term therapy, as well as support and self-help groups, and managing the issues that can arise as groups develop. The authors provide examples of how to handle leadership, training, and diversity, as well as ethical and legal issues in an effective and compassionate manner. Essentials of Group Therapy provides an invaluable reference for mental health students and professionals studying or working in any practice.