Abstract
Creating growthful therapeutic encounters for children, young people and adults that participate in group work programs is at the very core of what constitutes effective group work. In delivering nearly 200 group work programs over the past three years, this paper reflects on the practice principles that underpin the philosophy of the work we have undertaken within the Royal Children's Hospital Mental Health Service/Travancore School - Community Group Program and what we believe is the essence of good group work practice.