This book presents the concept of group-centered prevention and provides explanations and exercises for learning the method and teaching it to others. Detailed studies offer evidence for the continuing importance of prevention in mental well-being and distinguishes group-centered prevention from other group interventions by its ability to resolve incipient mental health issues and emotional problems. Case examples with adults, children, couples, and others demonstrate successful uses of group-centered techniques as well as illustrate the problems that arise in group settings. The book's ready-to-apply training exercises give prospective group leaders practice in starting new groups, fostering cohesion, integrating therapeutic factors into sessions, and other core skills.

Featured topics include:

• Group-centered prevention in contrast with other group interventions.
• Characteristics of effective leaders in group-centered prevention.
• Benefits of prevention groups as opposed to those gained in counseling and therapy.
• Key constructs of self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation in group-centered prevention.
• Stages of development in new groups.
• Formats for developing training exercises.

Group-Centered Prevention in Mental Health is an essential resource for scientist-practitioners, clinicians, and researchers as well as graduate students in such disciplines as school psychology, social work, and public health. Its educational uses span classroom, workshop, and training settings across the health and healing disciplines.

"Group-Centered Prevention in Mental Health is a text for teaching group-centered prevention in graduate programs as well as a step-by-step guide for practitioners who need to understand how to put together group interventions for use in building a cohesive environment ... . this book can be a great motivator for professionals (e.g., psychologists, health care social workers, school counselors) to start thinking about other problems that can be solved in a group-centered prevention program." (Leslie B. Rosen, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 61 (24), June, 2016)

"Harpine has contributed greatly to our understanding and promotion of prevention group work for years. ... One of the strongest contributions Harpine offers in this book is a description of the successful 'Reading Orienteering Group' that she has led for years. This unique application of group principles and methods to the development of reading skills is truly a substantive addition to our group-centered prevention work. ... The most outstanding characteristic of the book is its specificity." (John Dagley, The Group Psychologist, div49tgp.com, April, 2016)

"This book about the importance of group-centered prevention explores the benefits of prevention groups, characteristics of leaders, and stages of development. ... The book is easy to read and practical, with clinical examples. This is a practical book on prevention groups that explores the basic concepts of group structure and process. Written by an expert in the field with many decades of experience, it addresses an important topic -- focusing on prevention that may help reduce future difficulties." (Gary B. Kaniuk, Doody's Book Reviews, April, 2016)