From coping to creating change: The evolution of women's groups

Abstract

Women's groups have been central in the development of contemporary group work. From the initiation of consciousness-missing groups in the 1960s, to feminist therapy and support groups in the 1980s, to the advent of member-led international action groups and Internet groups in the 1990s, women have made important contributions to the field of group work. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the types of women's groups that have developed over the years, to document important historical processes in women's groups work, and to review the literature conducted with women's groups. In addition, the article explores the current and future directions of women's group work.