The author does a commendable job of taking what is known about groups, the unconscious, and psychodynamics in an academic sense, and grounding it in relevant experiential education examples. This book is appropriate for intermediate and advanced practitioners who want to stretch their own thinking about group processes and group management. Ringer's text provides a good bridge between academic journals (and contains an abundance of quality citations) and practical application related to group leadership. I [found] it engaging and thought provoking.' - Journal of Experiential Education 'Martin Ringer offers explanations of group processes with examples (both extensive and quite brief) that illustrate both concepts and strategies. Also a rare phenomenon, he positively encourages readers to relax their concentration on the written word and to think, make associations and learn by reflection on their own experiences of being leaders and members of groups.' - Leadership & Organization Development Journal 'It gives huge assistance to a thinking group-worker. [It] brings alternative viewpoints and slants of lighting that open up familiar territory in fresh and stimulating ways. Worth the read.' - ANZPA 2002 'The book's audience is not limited to those in training. Experienced group leaders will have their memories refreshed by his reviews of experimental learning and psychoanalytic and semi-systemic ways of understanding human and group behaviour practitionners in both the fields of adventure and group psychology will recognise that there is a maturity in Ringer's writing. He speaks from a profound understanding that comes from the practical lived level.' - Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Living 'In publishing this book, Martin Ringer has provided us with a companion for quiet reflection. It will support group leaders in developing insights into their own practice and in raising their conscious awareness. It is a counterpoint to the many texts that focus on recipes and heuristics for success. In contrast to these superficial quick fixes, the author offers a book that brings the reader to profound reflection...The book is invaluable as a companion to signpost directions for further inquiry and experience. It can act to stretch one's appreciation and understanding of group complexity... It is a book that rewards patient contemplation and delivers high returns for depth of study. As I journey through the troubled and pleasant waters of group life, Martin Ringer's book will be a companion to accompany my thinking and actions.' - Steve Kempster, MBA Programme Director, Lancaster University School of Management Groups provide a powerful medium for therapeutic work, and are the building blocks of all institutions - whether in the education, health, government, or private sectors. Martin Ringer, an internationally known consultant and writer on group psychology, here outlines techniques for understanding groups that will be relevant to those who lead teams in any setting. The result is an accessible guide both to leading a group, and to understanding the necessary dynamics that will result in the best team-work. Throughout, Martin Ringer uses his wide-ranging experience and an informal style to make his points as accessible as possible to all readers - whether or not they have a formal background in group psychology. Rich with new ideas and challenging perspectives, this book is strongly recommended for anyone who wants to improve their ability as a group leader. The author provides basic and fundamental reference points for leaders, whilst also encouraging them to adopt more experimental approaches.

Dreams told in the group are conjoint individual and group creations. They are both influenced by the group atmosphere and may in turn influence it and the individual, promoting change and development. Dreams have a deepening effect on therapeutic work and, due to their unconscious content, they may represent the most authentic exchange between individual and group. This state-of-the-art book provides help for therapists encountering a dream told in their group. It covers the major theoretical perspectives for their understanding, as well as representing different psychological schools and their approaches to the technical issues of group dream therapy. Despite the variety of sources, the clinical approaches described complement each other, and the book details many case studies, including a first dream in the group, an unconscious meeting between women and men, and other polarities within the individual and the group.

`This is an extremely interesting book which succeeds in combining erudition with great clarity, respect of tradition with a refreshing search for new perspectives... It is also a book which sums up the work carried out in Italy and in France and often ignored by the Anglo-Saxon group analyst. In line with such work it links Freud, Bion and Foulkes within a group perspective.' - from the foreword by Malcolm Pines Group explores the processes that take place within groups from a psychoanalytical perspective. Combining his own original concepts with a critique of established theories, Claudio Neri describes how groups are formed and develop, and analyses what non-verbal or extra-verbal phenomena are present in human communication, and how they occur in practice. The author uses examples from various art forms from around the world to show the universality of such human communication. Although it deals with difficult new ideas, the book contains user-friendly inserts within the text to explain particular concepts as they arise for those unfamiliar with the subject. A substantial glossary also provides explanation of the many complex terms used thoroughout the book.