1st Edition
Conducting Wellness Groups for Veterans and Older Adults The Legacy Model
Conducting Wellness Groups for Veterans and Older Adults: The Legacy Model offers an innovative wellness group model for mental health practitioners. Two curricula developed by the authors are explored, the Process-Focused Legacy Group curriculum for members who are high functioning and motivated adults, and the Activity-Based Legacy Group curriculum tailored for persons with disabilities and/or cognitive impairments. Detailed steps, prompts, and legacy activities are provided for each stage for both curriculum formats. This book provides clinical examples from the facilitator’s group experiences using the Legacy Model. The appendices provide further detailed resource materials that include descriptions of potential legacy projects and a vast assortment of legacy activities.
This book is essential for mental health practitioners: mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and psychologists interested in conducting Legacy Groups with veterans and older adults.
Part One: Legacy Model Development 1. Legacy Model 2. Theoretical Framework for the Legacy Model 3. Measuring Effectiveness of Legacy Groups 4. Serendipity in Legacy Work Part Two: The Legacy Group Curriculum in Action 5. Process-Focused Legacy Groups 6. Activity-Based Legacy Groups 7. Clinical Reflections 8. Potential Audiences, Challenges, and Special Considerations
Biography
Dr. Victoria L. Bacon, CGP is a licensed psychologist and internationally certified group psychotherapist who has created, taught, and conducted groups with 40 years’ experience teaching, presenting, and providing workshops.
Dr. Kristen E. Anderson, LCPC is a mental health and substance abuse counselor in private practice, Chicago, IL. She has extensive experience in individual and group counseling specializing in neurofeedback.
Maureen F. Boiros, M.Ed., R.N. is a mental health counselor and certified peer specialist who conducts groups for spouses of combat veterans and her experience as a nurse with developmentally disabled adults.
What a great addition to the counselling toolkit! At last, a book that not only recognizes the therapeutic value of exploring one’s family history, but also provides detailed instructions to mental health practitioners for how to conduct these explorations in group settings. In clear and accessible language, the authors explain their ‘Legacy Model’ approach to wellness, sensitively employing case material to illustrate how it works. Their approach, while designed for older adults, could be adapted for any age group. Highly recommended.
-Susan Moore, PhD, Emeritus Professor, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia.
Bacon, Anderson & Boiros have crafted a comprehensive text for group workers using the Legacy Model to enhance psychological wellness with veterans and older adults. The authors offer useful examples of project ideas, moving memoirs and multiple resources for clinicians. A great contribution to group work!
-Ana Puig, PhD, Professor, University of Florida and Past-President of the Association for Specialists in Group Work
