Tips & Tools: The Art of Experiential Group Facilitation 2nd Edition

by Jennifer Stanchfield, MS

“Facilitation is an art, rather than a science.  By its very nature it is an experiential practice… it takes practice balanced with reflection and more practice… it is an ever dynamic process of give and take, learning and development.”

Group facilitators face the dilemma of how best to assist a group of participants in learning deeply.  Experiential education requires participant activity—mental or physical—and enthusiasm to guide sessions to meet the group’s needs and objectives.  Facilitators, then, must keep in mind key ingredients to making sessions work while remaining open to the group’s direction.

Tips and Tools explores the facilitator’s role in groups of all kinds and offers tools and activities to enhance group sessions.  The author reflects on aspects of effective facilitating, including personal style and a firm understanding of group backgrounds.  Strategies are offered to increase participant involvement and growth through efficient sequencing and reflection.  Tips and Tools serves as a guide and an inspiration for group facilitators who seek out new materials to help spark creativity, provide new insight, and encourage success.

Reviews

“Tips and Tools is packed with accessible information that helps to direct thoughtful facilitation. It promoted insightful reflection about the decisions I make during the group process. Jen’s willingness to share her expertise illustrates her passion for the profession and provides us with the inspiration and knowledge to improve our own work.”
Mike Gessford, Adventure Education Coordinator, Saint Joseph College

“The book is a great resource for anyone wanting to increase the breadth of his or her processing toolbox. Everything is organized logically and is written in a way that is easy to understand, and more importantly, use. I especially enjoyed the personal examples Jennifer used throughout the book that brought the concepts to life. I will be recommending this book to all the facilitators I train and work with.”
Sam Sikes, M.A., Founder, DoingWorks, Inc.