Marty Jencius, Ph.D., associate professor of Counselor Education and Supervision in the School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration, was honored as a Fellow of the Association of Specialists in Group Work (ASGW), a division of the American Counseling Association at the 2024 ASGW conference in Portland, Ore.
Each year, ASGW honors prominent leaders who have contributed significantly to the field of Group Counseling, Research and Practice.
Jencius is nationally known for his work in using innovative technology to advance the counseling profession. He is a prolific author whose contributions have included publications in highly regarded journals and books, presentations at international, national and regional conferences, and editorial reviews for numerous professional journals. A common theme in this body of work is that he uses group work in many forms, which include the following:
- Publication of the textbook Groups: Planning and Leadership Skills
- Publication of book chapters/articles and presentations on innovative group work such as:
- Using process observation in education and clinical training
- Group leadership techniques
- Use of videoconference networking as a global means to career counselor education groups
- Effects of solution-focused group therapy in treatment outcomes and psychological well-being of clients in recovery
- Enhancing student's multicultural reflection through themed group work
- PalTalk online groups: Process and reflections on students experience
- Facilitating student's skill development in multicultural counseling
- Computer-based audio discussion groups
- Using a peer group supervision model for university supervisors
- Using group work as a method to develop counselor's multicultural counseling competencies
Jencius has also provided exemplary service to ASGW over the years. This includes:
- First ASGW web master (1999-2003) when the website was initially developed.
- Editorial Board member for the Journal for Specialists in Group Work (2001-2004)
- Producer of the ASGW Masterclass Podcast and Video Series (2021-present)
ASGW establishes standards for professional and ethical practice, supports research and the dissemination of knowledge, and provides professional leadership in the field of group work.