International Journal of Group Psychotherapy

Dies, Robert R.

doi: 10.1080/00207284.1992.11732577pmid: 1563898

AbstractThis editorial introduces a series of articles by leading proponents of the ten major models of group psychotherapy to appear in the International Journal of Group Psychotherapy. These theoretical contributions will be published throughout 1992 as a dedication to the American Group Psychotherapy Association's (AGPA) 50th anniversary. In the present article, the author reports results from a recent survey of senior clinicians within AGPA who expressed their opinions about the central issues that practitioners should understand during the working phase of group treatments. Statistical comparisons among action-oriented, interpersonal, and psychodynamic respondents to the questionnaire revealed striking differences in how therapeutic interventions were conceptualized. These findings are outlined as a preface to the first three articles in the series.

Rutan, J. Scott

doi: 10.1080/00207284.1992.11732578pmid: 1563902

AbstractThe author provides an overview of critical factors in the working phase of group psychotherapy from the perspective of psychodynamic theory. The discussion is organized around a clinical vignette to illustrate various types of intervention such as past, here and now, future; individual, interpersonal, group as a whole; in group–out of group; affect-cognition; and understanding–corrective emotional experience. The critical “windows into the unconscious,” transference, countertransference, and free association, are also discussed in terms of the clinical example. The author concludes his article with a few thoughts about the future of psychodynamic theory in relationship to group treatments.

Leszcz, Molyn

doi: 10.1080/00207284.1992.11732579pmid: 1563903

AbstractThe interpersonal model of group psychotherapy emphasizes the critical nature of peer interactions and consequent dynamic interpersonal learning. The author illustrates basic concepts of the model through a series of clinical vignettes. The central importance of the group as a social microcosm, cohesion and group process, here-and-now activation, and corrective emotional experience are documented, as is the role of the therapist in facilitating interpersonal feedback and effective therapeutic work.

Ellis, Albert

doi: 10.1080/00207284.1992.11732580pmid: 1563904

AbstractThe theory of rational-emotive therapy (RET) and of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is briefly explained and is applied to group therapy. It is shown how RET and CBT therapy groups deal with transference, countertransference, levels of group intervention, process versus content orientation, identifying underlying group process themes, here-and-now activation, working with difficult group members, activity levels of therapist and group members, and other group problems. Although they particularly concentrate on people's tendencies to construct and create their own “emotional” difficulties, RET and CBT group procedures fully acknowledge the interactions of human thoughts, feelings, and actions and active-directively employ a variety of cognitive, emotive, and behavioral group therapy techniques.

Roback, Howard B.; Ochoa, Elizabeth; Bloch, Frank; Purdon, Scot

doi: 10.1080/00207284.1992.11732581pmid: 1563905

AbstractThis study examines the confidentiality practices of highly experienced, well-trained group psychotherapists. A provocative finding was that practitioners rarely inform prospective clients of confidentiality limitations. Their reluctance to do so appears to be based upon the belief that it might discourage persons from entering treatment, as well as having negative ramifications for the therapeutic process (e.g., members may be less likely to talk about unprotected topics). The prevalence and content of breaches in confidentiality are explored. Ethical, legal, clinical, and educational implications of these and other findings are addressed. Research recommendations are offered.

Hough, George

doi: 10.1080/00207284.1992.11732582pmid: 1563899

AbstractThe success of group psychotherapy is impeded when group members maintain secrets and fail to self-disclose to other group members. However, revealing secrets sometimes conflicts with the legal and ethical constraints of confidentiality, thus placing a greater burden on the group. The case reported here illustrates how complex the dynamics of group therapy become when one group member maintains a secret. In this case, one member maintained a secret about another to preserve that individual's right to privacy and confidentiality. This case also details the group member's deliberations and confusion about the effect his secret had on the group's success, as well as the burden he experienced by choosing to preserve confidentiality at the expense of successful therapy for himself.

Lieberman, Morton A.; Yalom, Irvin

doi: 10.1080/00207284.1992.11732583pmid: 1563900

AbstractA consecutive sample of mid- and late-life bereaved spouses were randomly assigned to treatment and no-treatment groups. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) that brief group psychotherapy during the early stages of loss would facilitate adjustment assessed by measures of mental health, positive psychological states, social role, and mourning; and (2) that positive effects would be maximized for subjects who were more distressed psychologically. Although group participants, compared with untreated controls, did over 1 year show modest improvement on role functioning and positive psychological states, overall the study failed to find substantial support for the two major hypotheses. Both experimental and control groups showed improvement over the year, particularly on measures of mental health and mourning. Differential benefit was not observed for the high-risk group.

Gans, Jerome S.

doi: 10.1080/00207284.1992.11732584pmid: 1563901

AbstractMoney may be the most upsetting and therefore the most avoided topic in group psychotherapy. To overcome this resistance, the leader must secure prospective members' willingness to speak openly about financial matters. Financial issues particular to group therapy emerge when money is normalized as a topic for discussion. These include lowering or not raising fees, rescheduling, leaves of absence, combined and conjoint therapy, and nonverbal behaviors. Several case examples are provided. Members' strong feelings toward the leader around financial transactions often find expression in angry accusations. Suggestions for dealing therapeutically with countertransference reactions to these accusations are offered.

MacKenzie, K. Roy

doi: 10.1080/00207284.1992.11732585pmid: N/A

Apprey, Maurice; Volkan, Vamik

doi: 10.1080/00207284.1992.11732586pmid: N/A