Child-Centered Group Guidance of Parents: By S. R. Slavson. New York: International Universities Press, Inc., 1958. 333 pp.

With well presented illustrative case material, Slavson demonstrates how group guidance can ameliorate relationships between parents and children. He attempts a clear distinction between group therapy and group guidance, with criteria for each, and the difference in the dynamics operating within the group, and the personal results. Group guidance is suitable only for parents whose difficulties with their children are cultural (acceptance of the wrong stereotypes in child rearing and misunderstanding of the parental role). Group guidance is not effective with parental difficulties due to neurotic involvement and acting out. Thus individuals with serious intrapsychic difficulties have to be excluded. Consequently, only relatively 'healthy and normal' parents with—to paraphrase Slavson—a strong latent pleasure principle that needs activation are suited for group guidance.

Slavson says that to be a successful parent one has to learn the skills of parenthood. He believes that these skills cannot be mastered didactically or through psychoanalysis, but only by experience provided by discussion in a group of parents. The aim of the child-centered guidance group is to develop in the participants an understanding of and empathy with children's needs, skill in handling