Afternoon Workshops IV . This experiential workshop will introduce participants to the Encouragement Approach to working with groups. Leadership techniques developed from adaptations of Adlerian theory will be demonstrated in a form consistent with the size and interests of the group. Strategies for leading intentionally structured process groups in a variety of areas will be shared and modeled. Focal topics might include career exploration groups for adolescents and adults, life style groups for adults, consultation groups for beginning teachers, and groups for graduate students learning about group work.
Aggression continues to be a major problem for educators.
This workshop will present an overview of the current extent of aggression in elementary and middle schools, as well as risk and protective factors for students, families, and teachers. The presentation will then review three psychoeducational group interventions that have been developed to bring about a reduction of aggression in schools and communities, while increasing peaceful, powerful, and positive solutions to conflict situations. The workshop will be both didactic and experiential. The program is being implemented in 52 schools in 4 states and is designed to be easily incorporated into school and community plans for violence reduction. During this three-hour workshop the presenters will review the types of group work, the differences in planning and orchestrating the various types of groups, the characteristics of effective groups, evaluation of group effectiveness, and issues related to planning groups that work.