"Social skills training (SST) continues to be a widely accepted and recommended intervention for improving the psychosocial functioning of persons with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses. The book begins by providing useful background information, including the nature and importance of social skills (Chapter 1), updated evidence supporting the effectiveness of SST (Chapter 2), and assessment and goal-setting for SST (Chapter 3). The next group of chapters addresses the practicalities of providing SST groups and are also similar to the second edition, including methods for teaching social skills (Chapter 4), starting an SST group (Chapter 5), choosing curricula for an SST group (Chapter 6), tailoring SST to meet individual participant needs (Chapter 7), and solutions to common challenges encountered when providing SST (Chapter 8). The third edition of this book differs from the second edition in the variety of special topics related to SST that are addressed. While the second edition had only one such chapter on providing SST to individuals with comorbid substance use problems, in addition to retaining (and updating) this chapter (Chapter 9), the third edition also has six additional chapters on special topics, including younger individuals who are either at risk for psychosis or recovering from a first episode of psychosis (Chapter 10), technology-based communication skills (Chapter 11), SST with older individuals (Chapter 12), providing SST in residential or inpatient settings (Chapter 13), cultural factors when providing SST (Chapter 14), and gender and sexual identity issues and sexual harassment (Chapter 15)"--

Foreword, Patrick D. McGorry I. Principles, Research, and Assessment 1. Schizophrenia, Social Skills, and Recovery 2. SST as an Evidence-Based Practice 3. Assessment II. Teaching Social Skills 4. Methods for Teaching Social Skills 5. Starting an SST Group 6. Curricula for SST Groups 7. Tailoring Skills for Individual Needs and Goals 8. Solutions for Common Problems III. Special Populations, Settings, and Needs 9. Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders 10. Clinical High Risk and First Episode Psychosis 11. SST for Technology-Based Communication 12. Older Individuals 13. Inpatient and Residential Settings 14. Cultural Issues 15. Considerations for Gender and Sexual Identity and Social Skills Related to Sexual Harassment IV. Curricular Skill Sheets for Group Leaders - Four Basic Social Skills - Conversation Skills - Assertiveness Skills - Friendship and Dating - Dealing with Conflict - Dealing with Substance Use Situations - Education Skills - Work Skills - Technology-Based Communication - Living with Other People - Interacting with Healthcare Professionals - Solving Problems References Index