Group Therapy Case Study

Group therapy along with one to one therapy has been around for many decades. A great deal of focus from the clinical community has resulted in a wealth of studies, demonstrating consistent empirical support for this model of psychotherapy as an efficacious therapeutic method. Furthermore, in these austere times group therapy is seen as a cost effective method of delivering psychotherapeutic interventions (Greenberger, Padesky 1995, Yalom, Leszcz 2005) (McRoberts, Burlingame & Hoag 1998). The group therapy process is complex, and highly developed methods are required to affect change (Yalom, Leszcz 2005). This task will focus on my personal experience of the formation and process of my therapeutic group, and will highlight my developing awareness
Yallom (2005) explains the group process is a complex relationship of interweaving factors of which there are eleven, that demonstrate the human experience in the group therapy setting. When the factors are in operation it leads to an effective group and the group becomes a social microcosm, that is to say, the group is seen as a miniature social system existing within the larger system. Along with the group members the facilitator contributes to the optimum functions of the factors. My first experience of therapeutic group began in September 2015 which happened to be the first day of our training. The group was advised by the facilitators it will meet once per month and has met on seven occasions since its undertaking. I have attended six group sessions which last around an hour in duration with eleven members participating. In session one the group leaders set up the group. Which is different from the normal process of setting up
The leader creates the group usually through assessment and selection and fosters a stable environment. In the case of this group the facilitator was not involved in selecting the group members which can impact group cohesion. In session the facilitator did not give any direction other than to say “speak to what is arising”. This criterion for an effective group is through the facilitator encouraging the group to attend to the here and now. In this framework participants can develop feelings towards others in the group thus, how people feel becomes the group rhetoric. Attending to the here and now facilitates interpersonal learning. However, for this to occur the group must understand the how facilitators and members interact and relate to each other. The here and now concept examines behaviours that have just occurred and are occurring in a feedback loop. For example, the therapist may ask what is arising for you and then ask what was it like as you spoke about what was arising for you (Yalom, Leszcz