Group Therapy: A Therapeutic Analysis

Group therapy has been an effective tool, utilized in the fields of medicine for over a hundred years with many favorable results. These groups in the beginning were undefined by therapeutic definition, yet primarily comprised of members with similar inflictions. Grouping in society is considered natural, but this process was considered unnatural in the ideology of a therapeutic value at the time. Cormack (2015) states that groups setting will produce conditions similar to those a client will face in real life and offers opportunity face and correct the problem. Though group therapy may offer both an economic and a therapeutic solution to specific aspects of recovery, over the life of this process a divide between open and closed groups has
These major differences appear to distinguish open groups from closed groups as found in Time perspectives, equilibrium, frame of reference to therapy, and change in group composition (Ziller, 1965). As open groups will often focus in the moment and avoid projection of an uncertain future, closed groups are structured to achieve therapeutic goals in a timely manner. Equilibrium creates instability of membership in the recovery process which is actually the opposite goal of the closed group. Due to group size and level of experienced clients, the frame of reference is often much broader in open groups. Closed groups do not change memberships often as they run the course of treatment, creating a consistent composition and cohesion among members. Yet the largest of these characteristics is the new client as they are viewed in group therapy, as this newcomer is encouraged in a majority of open meetings as an aid to the group for continued growth. Quit the opposite in the closed group as the newcomer represents change, and this may threaten the integrity of the
As there is a very therapeutic value to group therapy, many who suffer from mental health issues will benefit greatly as firm foundation of co-occurring disorders are understood and dealt with in a closed group. Though a client may be encouraged to attend an open group concurrent to therapy in order to further successful recovery options, the closed group will provide the necessary guidance to change needed based off an educated process. This change is not embraced by clients with a full time commitment and as such the smaller controlled environment can prove to be a safer place to grow into a successful community member that will take this experience into the open group after therapy. As stated in A.A., “Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives” (Alcoholics Anonymous, 2001). Healing is a lifelong process and that process begins with a willingness to change, continuing with willingness to help others in many circles of