BAM! Boys Advocacy and Mentoring

Peter Mortola, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and the author of Windowframes: Learning the art of Gestalt play therapy the Oaklander way (Gestalt press/Analytic Press, 2006).Howard Hiton, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice who specializes in working with boys.Stephen Grant, LCSW, is a seasoned provider of boys’ groups in elementary and middle schools.

• BAM! Orientation. The Challenges Boys Face. The Necessity of Good Contact. The Social Influences: The Impact of Dysfunctional Aspects of Traditional Masculinity on Boys’ Relationships. The Biological Influences: A Different Kind of Contact for Boys. Seeing Boys’ Strengths and Addressing Their Challenges. Five Goals for BAM! Leaders: Making Better Contact with Boys. Five Goals for BAM! Participants: Helping Boys Make Better Contact. A New Experience for Boys: Walking the Talk in BAM! Groups. Making Contact Through Strategic Storytelling. Making Contact Through Physical Challenges. BAM! Example. Week One: Lost in the Woods. Week Two: Alligator Swamp. Week Three: Haunted House. Week Four: Sitting Circle. Week Five: Willow in the Wind. Week Six: Making Lists. Week Seven: Treasure Hunt. Week Eight: Trust Falling. Week Nine: Talking Cards. Week Ten: Found in the Woods. BAM! Instructions. Initiating a BAM! Group. Facilitating a BAM! Group. Session-by-Session Instructions. BAM! Appendix. BAM! Group Evaluation: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods. Additional Activities and Discussion Topics.

"This important book offers a useful gude for counselors and youth workers undertaking the vital task of mentoring young boys...This inspiring book provides much food for thought. It offers assistance to professionals from a broad range of disciplines and backgrounds desirous of meeting the challenges of working with boys in considered, mindful, and heartful ways." - Jon Blend, British Gestalt Journal