Deborah Rubel (pictured on the right), Ph.D, Associate Professor of Counseling in the College of Education, is the recipient of the 2012 Outstanding Article Award published in the Journal for Specialists in Group Work (JSGW) for “Application of Focal Conflict Theory to Psychoeducational Groups: Implications for Process, Content, and Leadership.” She and co-author, Julia Champe, Ph.D of Southern Illinois University, accepted the award at the American Counseling Association National Conference in Cincinnati, OH on March 22.  This is Deborah’s second time receiving the award – the first being in 2008 for “An Exploratory Study of Expert Group Leadership” co-written with William B. Kline, Ph.D of Western Kentucky University.

All articles published in JSGW during any given year are eligible for this award, and it is awarded based on an editorial board vote regarding potential to positively impact the field of group work.