GROUP THERAPY
By Shyma PK
DEFINITION
Group therapy is a form of
psychotherapy where therapist
facilitates session with multiple
clients, typically between five and
fifteen to address shared issues or
concerns.
Group psychotherapy is a treatment
in which carefully selected people who
are emotionally ill meet in a group
guided by a trained therapist,and help
one another effect personality change
Selection
1 Homogenous group
Groups formed with members who share
similar issues or concerns
2 Adolescents and patients with
personality disorders
Specific demographic groups that can
benefit from group therapy approaches
3 Families and couples
Relationship-focused therapy where the
entire system is addressed
Contraindications
Antisocial patients
Individuals with antisocial personality disorder may disrupt group dynamics and be unsuitable for group
settings
Actively suicidal or severely depressed patients
These individuals require more intensive individual monitoring and intervention
Patients who are delusional and who may incorporate the group in to their
delusional system
Group dynamics may exacerbate delusional thinking in certain patients
Group size
10 to 15 members
This optimal size allows for sufficient
interaction between members while
ensuring each participant has adequate
time to share and receive feedback. It also
creates a comfortable environment where
trust can develop.
Therapeutic factors involved in Group therapy
Support to group
members
Sharing experience
Participants provide emotional
Members share personal support and encouragement to
experiences, creating connection one another
and reducing isolation
Socialisation
Group setting provides
opportunity to develop social
skills in a safe environment
Interpersonal learning
Imitation
Gaining insights about oneself
through interactions with others Members learn adaptive
behaviors by observing others in
the group
Benefits
1 Social support
Group members provide encouragement,
understanding, and validation to one another, reducing
feelings of isolation
2 Diverse perspectives
Exposure to different viewpoints and experiences
broadens understanding and provides new insights
3 Cost effective
Group therapy is typically more affordable than
individual therapy, making mental health support more
accessible
Types of Groups
Support groups Skill training groups Therapeutic groups
Focused on providing Emphasise learning and Focus on deeper
emotional support and practicing specific skills psychological issues and
validation for specific such as communication, personal growth through
issues or conditions stress management, or interpersonal learning and
emotional regulation feedback
Goals
Improved mental health
Reduction in symptoms and increased psychological
wellbeing through therapeutic interventions and support
Increased self awareness
Greater understanding of one's thoughts, feelings,
behaviors, and their impact on others
Enhanced coping skills
Development of effective strategies to manage
stress, emotions, and challenging situations
Nurse's Role in Group Therapy
Assessment & Planning Facilitation
Evaluating patients' suitability for group Guiding discussions, ensuring balanced
participation and designing therapeutic participation, and maintaining a therapeutic
interventions tailored to group needs environment where members feel safe to share
Therapeutic Support Evaluation
Providing clinical expertise, emotional support, Monitoring group dynamics, assessing individual
and teaching coping strategies whilst modelling progress, and documenting outcomes to ensure
healthy communication therapeutic goals are being achieved
Psychiatric nurses bring unique clinical expertise and interpersonal skills that create the foundation for
effective group therapy. Their holistic approach integrates medical knowledge with psychological
understanding.
