Group Therapy (GT)

Week 9
Aroyewun-Olaleye Temitope Folashade, Ph.D.
 Definition of Group Therapy

“Group therapy is a form

“Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy that
of psychotherapy that involves
aims to help people manage mental health
one or more therapists working
conditions or cope with negative experiences
with several people at the same
and behaviors.”
time.”
“Group psychotherapy is an effective form
of therapy in which a small number of
people meet together under the guidance
of a professionally trained therapist to help
themselves and one another.”
 History of GT

• In 1905, Joseph Hersey Pratt is credited

with the first group experience.

• He began treating his tuberculosis patients

in his "thought control classes, when he
worked with tuberculosis patients.

Joseph Hersey Pratt

• In 1907, Jesse B. Davis, who was principal of Grand
Rapids High School in Michigan, decided that one English
class a day be devoted to vocational and moral guidance.

• It is the first record of a group therapy experience.

Jesse B. Davis
 • In the 1920s, The Theatre of Spontaneity by J.L.
Moreno was a forerunner of psychodrama.

• His ideas influenced later theorists and began the

study of small group phenomenon by social
scientists.

• In the 1930s, he introduced the terminology 'group

therapy' and 'group psychotherapy' into the group
vocabulary.
Jacob L. Moreno
• By the 1930s, there was an increase in group
guidance and psychoeducational publications
and practices.

• Self-help groups were created, including the

beginning of Alcoholics Anonymous,

• by founders who stated that 'the potency of

individuals meeting together and interacting • During the 1940s, Kurt Lewin is recognized
in a supportive way produces change.
as the founder and promoter of group
dynamics. He developed field theory, which
emphasizes the interaction between
individuals and their environment. It is
based on the ideas of Gestalt psychology.
• In the 1950s, group procedures were used in
the practice of family counseling led by Rudolf
Dreikurs, who also worked with parent
groups.

• In 1958, the first textbook in group work was

published.

Rudolf Dreikurs
 • The 1960s began the Human Potential Movement, which
was founded on the belief that we only use a small part
of our capabilities but the group experience can help us
reach our full potential.

• Carl Rogers developed the term encounter group to

describe his approach to group work.

• It was designed to help normal individuals remove blocks

Carl Rogers
that inhibit their functioning so they can live more
fulfilled lives.

• Because these groups focus on personal growth, they are

known as personal growth groups or sensitivity groups.
 Characteristics of GT

• GT involves one or more psychologists who lead a group of

roughly 5 to 15 patients.
• Typically, group meets once or twice each week, or more, for
an hour or two.
• There are many different approaches to group therapy but
they share in common creating a safe, supportive, and
cohesive space to address personal, relationship and societal
issues.
 Characteristics of GT

▪ GT is widely available at a variety of locations including private therapeutic

practices, hospitals, mental health clinics, and community centers.

▪ GT is sometimes used alone, but it is also commonly integrated into a

comprehensive treatment plan that also includes individual therapy.

▪ GT can reduce wait times and give more people access to mental healthcare.
Who benefits from GT

GT can benefit people of;

• different ages,

• sexual orientations,

• gender identities,

• race,

• cultural

• religion and

• ethnic backgrounds
Group therapy is used to treat a wide • serious medical illness,
variety of conditions, including: • loss,
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder • social anxiety,
(ADHD)
• addictive disorders, or
• Depression
• behavioral challenges.
• Eating disorders

• Generalized anxiety disorder

• Panic disorder

• Phobias

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Substance use disorder

• In addition to mental health conditions, CBT-based group therapy
has been found to help people cope with the following:

• Anger management

• Chronic pain

• Chronic illness

• shyness,

• loneliness

• low self-esteem.

• Chronic stress

• Divorce

• Domestic violence

• Grief and loss

• Weight management
 Types

• Group therapy can be categorized

into different types depending on
Support groups,
your mental health condition as
well as the clinical method used provide a wide range of benefits for

during the therapy. people with a variety of mental health

• The most common types of group conditions as well as their loved ones
therapy include:
• Cognitive behavioral groups • Interpersonal groups

focus on interpersonal
center on identifying and
relationships and social
changing inaccurate
interactions, including how much
or distorted thinking
support you have from others and
patterns, emotional
the impact these relationships have
responses, and behaviors.
on your mental health.
 • Skills development groups

• Psycho-educational groups focus on improving social skills in

people with mental disorders or
developmental disabilities

focus on educating clients about

their disorders and ways of
coping often based on the
principles of cognitive behavior
therapy (CBT)
 Categories of GT

Group therapy meetings may either be open or closed.

• Open sessions, to which new participants are welcome

to join at any time.

• Closed session, to which only a core group of members

are invited to participate.
 • Existential factors: While working within a

group offers support and guidance, group

• The corrective recapitulation of the primary
therapy helps members realize that they
family group: The therapy group is much like a
are responsible for their own lives, actions,
family in some ways. Within the group, each
member can explore how childhood experiences and choices.
contributed to personality and behaviors. They can
• Group cohesiveness: Because the group is
also learn to avoid behaviors that are destructive
or unhelpful in real life. united in a common goal, members gain a

sense of belonging and acceptance.

• Development of socialization techniques: The
group setting is a great place to practice new • Imparting information: Group members
behaviors. The setting is safe and supportive,
can help each other by sharing information.
allowing group members to experiment without
the fear of failure.
• Imitative behavior: Individuals can model the
behavior of other members of the group or
observe and imitate the behavior of the
therapist. • Interpersonal learning: By interacting with
• Instills hope: The group contains members at other people and receiving feedback from the

different stages of the treatment process. group and the therapist, members of the
group can gain a greater understanding of
Seeing people who are coping or recovering
themselves.
gives hope to those at the beginning of the
process. • Universality: Being part of a group of people
who have the same experiences helps people
see that what they are going through is
universal and that they are not alone.
Benefits of Group Therapy
• Group therapy is often very affordable. Instead of
• Group therapy allows people to receive the focusing on just one client at a time, the therapist
support and encouragement of the other can devote their time to a much larger group of
members of the group. People participating in the people which reduces the cost for participants.
group can see that others are going through the
• Group therapy offers a safe haven. The setting
same thing, which can help them feel less alone.
allows people to practice behaviors and actions
• Group members can serve as role models for within the safety and security of the group.
other members of the group. By observing
• By working in a group, the therapist can see first-
someone successfully coping with a problem, other
hand how each person responds to other people
members of the group can see that there is hope
and behaves in social situations. Using this
for recovery. As each person progresses, they can,
information, the therapist can provide valuable
in turn, serve as a role model and support figure
feedback to each client.
for others. This can help foster feelings of success
and accomplishment.
 Empirical Effectiveness of GT

In a study published in 2014, researchers analyzed what happened when individuals with depression received group CBT.

• They found that 44% of the patients reported significant improvements.

• The drop rate for group treatment was high, however, as almost 1 in 5 patients quit treatment.

An article published in the American Psychological Association's Monitor on Psychology suggests that group therapy also
meets efficacy standards established by the Society of Clinical Psychology (Division 12 of the APA) for the following
conditions:

• Bipolar disorder

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Panic disorder

• Social phobia

• Substance use disorder

 Stages of group therapy

• Once the group is formed there is generally a pre-

group meeting.
• Each group member is screened to make sure they
will be an asset to the group rather than a setback.
• The Stages are initial stage, the transition stage, the
working stage and the final stage.
 The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy

• In "The Theory and Practice of Group

Psychotherapy," Irvin D. Yalom outlines the
key therapeutic principles that have been
derived from self-reports from individuals
who have been involved in the group therapy
process:

• Altruism: Group members can share their

strengths and help others in the group, which
can boost self-esteem and confidence. Irvin D. Yalom
• Catharsis: Sharing feelings and experiences
with a group of people can help relieve pain,
guilt, or stress.
first stage– Initial Stage

• The purpose of the initial stage of a group is to establish expectations of what the group is going to be like.

• These expectations include trust, roles, and goals.

• Confidentiality and conflict need to be addressed immediately.

• Also, any culture concerns must be dealt with.

• The counselors are there to explain the process and to support each member when dealing with
confrontation.

• The group members must be participatory and involved.

• This can be tricky with court appointed group members but if the expectations of involvement are explained
thoroughly they will learn that it is either participate in the group or face legal consequences.
 Second stage– Transition Stage
• The transition stage is a very difficult stage to get through.

• This stage comes after the initial stage and is when most of the group members feel anxious about sharing their

feelings with strangers.

• Some members become defensive and resistant while others may be shy and fearful.

• It is the role of the counselor to keep the transition period on track and as pleasant as possible.

• This stage can be extremely uncomfortable for the counselor as they may be confronted, belittled, or attacked.

• If the counselor is good at leading groups the group will learn to trust and respect the counselor during this stage

by leaving the negativity out.

• For the members to get the most out of the group they must participate cordially and this includes listening and

giving advice.
Third stage – Working Stage

• Once the transitional stage has settled, group members will start to feel comfortable enough to really get
into the deeper issues that the group was designed for.

• The working stage comes after all the kinks get worked out during the transition stage and is when each
member is able to explore their thoughts and emotions which may be triggered by someone else’s words.

• The counselor in this stage will guide the group through this process using techniques and challenges that
bring out emotions.

• A good counselor will know how to guide by using minimal words themselves.

• Counselors should be able to read each group members verbal and non-verbal language.

• Group members in this stage need to be honest about their feelings and not be afraid to speak their mind.

• They should not feel as though they are being judged or criticized and if they are, it is the counselor’s job to
address these issues.
 Final stage- Understanding Stage

• The final stage is when the group understands • During this stage, feedback is very important.
that they are no longer going to be together.
• It is the role of the counselor to educate on what
• This stage allows the group members to each member should expect from the experience
reflect on their experience and decide how which includes reminders of confidentiality and

they will use the knowledge that they change that may not be noticeable immediately.

acquired in their future occurrences. • Group members will be encouraged to give

feedback to other group members as well and in
• This stage often comes with feelings of
the end it is up to each member to decide what to
sadness and separation.
do with the experience that they received
 Final stage- Understanding Stage

• All groups are progressive and very unique • Either way, group work as proven to be quite
successful.
• Some groups get a lot from their experience
• The stages of the groups vary in length and
while others leave empty handed.
duration and also depend on the goals and
• The success of a group is a combination of purpose of each group.
how each group member performed and how
• If a group leader leads a successful group they will
well the group leader was able to lead and
know because the group members will be able to
keep everyone on track. change successfully with the help of the group
experience.
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