Analysis Compare to desirable qualities in self-help books.

SELF-HELP BOOK REVIEW

Instructions: Select a self-help book to review, then answer the following questions. Type your answers on a separate piece of paper.

1. List the title and author of the book.

2. What is the goal of the book, or what problem does it propose to solve?

3. Why did you choose to review this particular book?

4. Analysis: Compare to desirable qualities in self-help books. For each of the following items, explain with supporting details how well the book meets each quality. For more explanation of these criteria, see the explanations in Chapter 1 of your text.

a. Is the communication clear and avoids psychobabble?

b. Does the book make promises that are cautious and realistic?

c. Do your own online research. How strong and appropriate are the credentials of the author(s)? What do people who have reviewed the book say? Analysis Compare to desirable qualities in self-help books.

d. Does the book mention the theoretical or research basis for the program they advocate?

e. Does the book provide detailed, explicit directions about how to alter your behavior?

f. Does the book focus on one particular kind of problem?

5. Summary

a. Based on your analysis, how strongly would you recommend or not recommend this book? Would you read and use its advice yourself?

b. Also based on your analysis, what improvements do you think could be made to make the book stronger?

1.In 250 words, examine and compare the elements of picture books, traditional literature, and fantasy. Explain the criteria you would use to select quality literature for your classroom.

2.Select two themes (i.e., courage, friendship, love, grief) that would be appropriate to teach in the elementary grade level of your choice. Select one book from each of the following genres for each theme: picture books, traditional literature, and fantasy. Selected text must provide multiple representations of concepts and skills in the content area. Analysis Compare to desirable qualities in self-help books.

For each theme, list the following:

Title and author of all three literature selections
Brief summary of each selection (2-4 sentences)
Engaging instructional activity using all three pieces of literature to integrate multiple representations of concepts and skills into content area instruction (100-150 words)

Support your writing with 3-5 scholarly resources.

Assignment 1: LASA 2—Self-Help Evaluation

The self-help movement has swept the world of substance abuse treatment. A new client may not be aware of any treatment options open to them aside from those of self-help group meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. While self-help groups are not a solution for every client, they have been shown to be useful in some cases.

As future substance abuse counselors, it is important that you explore and be aware of the different self-help groups and what goes on in these group meetings.

Begin this assignment by doing the following:

Attend a self-help group related to substance abuse. There are multiple options including AA Open Meetings, Al-Anon, Women for Sobriety, and so forth. Information is easily accessible on the Internet. Note that some meetings are closed while others are open. At Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), most weekly groups are closed; however, open meetings are held primarily on weekends when all are welcome to attend. Analysis Compare to desirable qualities in self-help books.

Information for your area can be obtained through “AA Intergroup” at http://aa-intergroup.org/.

Introduce yourself and let folks know that you are a student. Remember to follow the guidelines of confidentiality.

If you are unable to access a twelve-step group because one is not available in your area, either research an online self-help group or research the implications of self-help groups in general including their strengths and weaknesses.

Write a paper about your experience and make sure you cover the following:

Evaluate the self-help group you attended and/or researched. Critique the strengths and weaknesses of self-help groups in terms of their value in the treatment of substance abuse.
Hypothesize what types of clients would be a good match for the group that you attended and/or researched. What types of clients would not be a good match? Consider age, gender, culture, race, sexuality, religion/spirituality, and the severity of substance abuse. Include other evaluation criteria for differential treatment. Explain your reasoning.
Predict how self-help groups are evolving over time. How can technology be used to supplement and/or replace face-to-face support groups?
Appraise the effect on the group experience when involuntary clients are present. Include the effect to treatment, counseling, and collaboration.
Recommend several ways to overcome resistance. How may technology be used to overcome resistance to treatment? Include collaboration issues involved in the treatment of involuntary clients using technology.

Write a paper in Word format and make sure you include a title page and reference page in addition to the 6–8-pages of content. Apply APA 6th edition standards to the format of the paper, and the citation of sources.

Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M5_A1.doc.

By Monday, November 2, 2015, deliver your assignment to the M5: Assignment 1 Dropbox.

Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (n.d.). Online intergroup. Retrieved from http://aa-intergroup.org/

Grading Criteria and Rubric

Assignment 1 Grading Criteria

Maximum Points

Evaluate the self-help group attended/researched and critique the strengths and weaknesses of self-help groups as a valuable treatment modality. Analysis Compare to desirable qualities in self-help books.

Hypothesize the types of clients that would match to the group attended/researched. Considered age, gender, culture, race, sexuality, severity of substance abuse, religion/spirituality, and other evaluation criteria for differential treatment. Explain reasoning.

Predict the evolution of self-help groups, including the ways in which technology could support or replace face-to-face groups.

Appraise the effect on the group experience when involuntary clients are present. Include the treatment, counseling, and collaboration.

Recommend several ways to overcome resistance and how technology might be used to this purpose. Include collaboration issues involved in treating involuntary clients. Analysis Compare to desirable qualities in self-help books.

Presentation Components:
Organization (16)
Style (8)
Usage and Mechanics (16)
APA Elements (24)

Total:

300 Analysis Compare to desirable qualities in self-help books.