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Revitalizing Psychiatry
Group Therapy
What is Group Psychotherapy?
Group psychotherapy, like individual psychotherapy, is intended to help people who would like to
improve their ability to cope with difficulties and problems in their lives. But, while in individual
therapy the patient meets with only one person (the therapist), in group therapy the meeting is with a
whole group and one or two therapists. Group therapy focuses on interpersonal interactions, so
relationship problems are addressed well in groups.
The aim of group psychotherapy is to help with solving the emotional difficulties and to encourage
the personal development of the participants in the group. The therapist (called conductor, leader or
facilitator) chooses as candidates for the group people who can benefit from this kind of therapy
and those who may have a useful influence on other members in the group.
How does Group Psychotherapy work?
Members of the group share with others personal issues which they are facing. A participant can
talk about events s/he was involved in during the week, her/his responses to these events, problems
s/he had tackled, etc. The participant can share his/her feelings and thoughts about what happened
in previous sessions, and relate to issues raised by other members or to the leader's words. Other
participants can react to her/his words, give her/him feedback, encourage, give support or criticism,
or share their thoughts and feelings following his/her words. The subjects for discussion are not
determined by the leader but rise spontaneously from the group. The member in the group feels that
(s)he is not alone with her/his problem and that there are others who feel the same. The group can
become a source of support and strength in times of stress for the participant. The feedback (s)he
gets from others on her/his behavior in the group can make her/him become aware to maladaptive
patterns of behavior, change her/his point of view and help him/her adopt more constructive and
effective reactions. It can become a laboratory for practicing new behaviors.
Frequently the people you meet in the group represent others in your past or current life with whom
you have difficulty. In group therapy you have the opportunity to work through these situations.
Who can benefit from Group Psychotherapy?
Group psychotherapy is suitable for a large variety of problems and difficulties, beginning with
people who would like to develop their interpersonal skills and ending with people with emotional
problems like anxiety, depression, etc. There are support groups for people in the same situation or
crisis (e.g. groups for bereaved parents, groups for sexually abused women), but usually the
recommendation for the therapeutic group is to be as heterogeneous as possible and represent a
micro-cosmos. For that reason in building the group, the leader will try to include men and women,
young and old people, married and singles, etc. The group is especially effective for people with
interpersonal difficulties and problems in relations. Whether these difficulties are in social, working,
couple or even sexual relations, the participant can benefit a lot in these areas.
Groups are ideally suited to people who are struggling with relationship issues like intimacy, trust,
self-esteem. The group interactions help the participants to identify, get feedback, and change the
patterns that are sabotaging the relations. The great advantage of group psychotherapy is working
on these patterns in the "here and now" - in a group situation more similar to reality and close to the
interpersonal events.
What are the different types of Groups?
There are many kinds of groups in the group-psychotherapy field. The techniques used in group
therapy can be verbal, expressive, psychodramatic etc. The approaches can vary from
psychoanalytic to behavioral, Gestalt or encounter groups. Groups vary from classic psychotherapy
groups, where process is emphasized, to psychoeducational, which are closer to a class.
Psychoeducational groups usually focus on the most common areas of concern, notably
relationships, anger, stress-management etc. They are frequently more time-limited (10 to 15
sessions) and thus very appealing in a managed care environment. Each approach has its
advantages and drawbacks, and the participant should consult the expert which technique matches
her/his unique personality.
How to choose a Group-Psychotherapist
When choosing a group psychotherapist you should look for a well-trained, reliable, and ethical
professional. If you are in individual therapy you should consult your therapist and be sure that your
group and individual therapists can collaborate. Reputable group psychotherapists usually belong to
professional associations. In the U.S.A, for example, membership in AGPA (the American Group
Psychotherapy Association), and certification as a Group Psychotherapist by AGPA assures some
degree of expertise. An experienced group therapist will usually interview you before your entering
the group and will answer your questions about the group and his/her experience without being
uneasy. You can also ask the prospective therapist how many years experience (s)he has in the
particular modality and as a therapist generally. Make sure you clarify fees (including costs for
missed sessions). Above all, trust your feelings: If you do not feel you can trust the therapist, find
another.
What is expected of the Participant?
The participant in the group is expected to be present each week and come on time. It is required
that the information brought up by members of the group and their names be kept confidential by all
the group members. In some groups, the participant is asked to commit for a specified length of
time at the beginning of the group. The usual commitment is between 3 to 6 months. This facilitates
getting a sense of how the group works. When participating in a group, you will not be required to
talk, or reveal intimate issues when you do not want to. However, it is clear that the more you can
participate, be open and talk about yourself, your feelings and thoughts - the more you can gain from
this experience.
Technical Details
Usually, there are between 8 to 12 members in the group. Above 15 members, it is impossible to
create a therapeutic atmosphere and have enough time for each member to work personally. The
length of every session can be from an hour and a half to three hours (this does not include
workshops and marathon groups). The frequency can be once to twice a week. The duration of the
group depends on many components such as the severity of the problems and the targets sought. It
can be from a few months to a few years. You should allow 4 to 6 months to pass in order to feel the
effect of the group.
Group psychotherapy, like individual psychotherapy, is intended to help people who would like to
improve their ability to cope with difficulties and problems in their lives. But, while in individual
therapy the patient meets with only one person (the therapist), in group therapy the meeting is with a
whole group and one or two therapists. Group therapy focuses on interpersonal interactions, so
relationship problems are addressed well in groups.
The aim of group psychotherapy is to help with solving the emotional difficulties and to encourage
the personal development of the participants in the group. The therapist (called conductor, leader or
facilitator) chooses as candidates for the group people who can benefit from this kind of therapy
and those who may have a useful influence on other members in the group.
How does Group Psychotherapy work?
Members of the group share with others personal issues which they are facing. A participant can
talk about events s/he was involved in during the week, her/his responses to these events, problems
s/he had tackled, etc. The participant can share his/her feelings and thoughts about what happened
in previous sessions, and relate to issues raised by other members or to the leader's words. Other
participants can react to her/his words, give her/him feedback, encourage, give support or criticism,
or share their thoughts and feelings following his/her words. The subjects for discussion are not
determined by the leader but rise spontaneously from the group. The member in the group feels that
(s)he is not alone with her/his problem and that there are others who feel the same. The group can
become a source of support and strength in times of stress for the participant. The feedback (s)he
gets from others on her/his behavior in the group can make her/him become aware to maladaptive
patterns of behavior, change her/his point of view and help him/her adopt more constructive and
effective reactions. It can become a laboratory for practicing new behaviors.
Frequently the people you meet in the group represent others in your past or current life with whom
you have difficulty. In group therapy you have the opportunity to work through these situations.
Who can benefit from Group Psychotherapy?
Group psychotherapy is suitable for a large variety of problems and difficulties, beginning with
people who would like to develop their interpersonal skills and ending with people with emotional
problems like anxiety, depression, etc. There are support groups for people in the same situation or
crisis (e.g. groups for bereaved parents, groups for sexually abused women), but usually the
recommendation for the therapeutic group is to be as heterogeneous as possible and represent a
micro-cosmos. For that reason in building the group, the leader will try to include men and women,
young and old people, married and singles, etc. The group is especially effective for people with
interpersonal difficulties and problems in relations. Whether these difficulties are in social, working,
couple or even sexual relations, the participant can benefit a lot in these areas.
Groups are ideally suited to people who are struggling with relationship issues like intimacy, trust,
self-esteem. The group interactions help the participants to identify, get feedback, and change the
patterns that are sabotaging the relations. The great advantage of group psychotherapy is working
on these patterns in the "here and now" - in a group situation more similar to reality and close to the
interpersonal events.
What are the different types of Groups?
There are many kinds of groups in the group-psychotherapy field. The techniques used in group
therapy can be verbal, expressive, psychodramatic etc. The approaches can vary from
psychoanalytic to behavioral, Gestalt or encounter groups. Groups vary from classic psychotherapy
groups, where process is emphasized, to psychoeducational, which are closer to a class.
Psychoeducational groups usually focus on the most common areas of concern, notably
relationships, anger, stress-management etc. They are frequently more time-limited (10 to 15
sessions) and thus very appealing in a managed care environment. Each approach has its
advantages and drawbacks, and the participant should consult the expert which technique matches
her/his unique personality.
How to choose a Group-Psychotherapist
When choosing a group psychotherapist you should look for a well-trained, reliable, and ethical
professional. If you are in individual therapy you should consult your therapist and be sure that your
group and individual therapists can collaborate. Reputable group psychotherapists usually belong to
professional associations. In the U.S.A, for example, membership in AGPA (the American Group
Psychotherapy Association), and certification as a Group Psychotherapist by AGPA assures some
degree of expertise. An experienced group therapist will usually interview you before your entering
the group and will answer your questions about the group and his/her experience without being
uneasy. You can also ask the prospective therapist how many years experience (s)he has in the
particular modality and as a therapist generally. Make sure you clarify fees (including costs for
missed sessions). Above all, trust your feelings: If you do not feel you can trust the therapist, find
another.
What is expected of the Participant?
The participant in the group is expected to be present each week and come on time. It is required
that the information brought up by members of the group and their names be kept confidential by all
the group members. In some groups, the participant is asked to commit for a specified length of
time at the beginning of the group. The usual commitment is between 3 to 6 months. This facilitates
getting a sense of how the group works. When participating in a group, you will not be required to
talk, or reveal intimate issues when you do not want to. However, it is clear that the more you can
participate, be open and talk about yourself, your feelings and thoughts - the more you can gain from
this experience.
Technical Details
Usually, there are between 8 to 12 members in the group. Above 15 members, it is impossible to
create a therapeutic atmosphere and have enough time for each member to work personally. The
length of every session can be from an hour and a half to three hours (this does not include
workshops and marathon groups). The frequency can be once to twice a week. The duration of the
group depends on many components such as the severity of the problems and the targets sought. It
can be from a few months to a few years. You should allow 4 to 6 months to pass in order to feel the
effect of the group.
