Surveying the breadth of current knowledge, this comprehensive handbook describes current approaches to working with groups in many different settings and for a variety of purposes. Leading practitioners outline major theories of group work and address contemporary issues in designing and evaluating interventions. Illustrated are the ways groups are used to help people address personal problems, cope with disabilities, strengthen families and communities, resolve conflict, achieve social change, and more. For each application discussed, chapters provide practical, how-to-do-it information review the relevant research base evaluate the approach from the standpoint of empowerment and consider the applicability of principles and methods for work with diverse populations. Special topics addressed include future directions in group work and the uses of new communication technologies. -- Publisher description.