Group development, a key factor in treatment effectiveness, is covered in virtually every introductory text on group psychotherapy. This is the first book devoted exclusively to this process. In this volume, Virginia Brabender and April Fallon chronicle the rich history of group development research, provide a survey of modern theories of group development, and introduce the authors' own five-stage model of group development.

The authors demonstrate the importance of group identity to the achievement of treatment goals through a series of vivid, real-life vignettes that illustrate the characteristic behavior of group members at each stage. They apply their developmental perspective not only to traditional unstructured groups but also to focused groups and groups emerging from postmodern frameworks, such as social constructionism and narrative psychology.

In its comprehensive scope and attention to detail, Group Development in Practice is a vital resource for experienced group clinicians, therapists new to group psychotherapy, and for therapists leading all kinds of groups, from traditional, long-term unstructured groups to focused, time-limited groups in inpatient and outpatient settings, to the emerging world of cyber groups. It will also be of great use for researchers and those interested in developing or refining theoretical approaches to group psychotherapy.