Group Therapy

Question 1

Composition of Groups (Heterogeneous vs. Homogeneous)

Answer 1

Developmental Level* - pts should be similar in terms of dev’t level
Gender – should be all one gender when working with kids, mixing more appropriate with adults
Intelligence Level *– some believe most important factor in group composition, crucial for group interaction
Stability – closed vs open group – either way stability, cohesiveness and accepting of others key to group
Size – 7-10 members most effective, <5 limits learning and >10 leads to alienation and lack of cohesiveness

Question 2

Stages of Group Therapy – Yalom

Answer 2

Stages of Group Therapy – Yalom
Orientation, participation, search for meaning and dependency; members hesitant to reveal personal info

Conflict, dominance, and rebellion; members begin to establish place in group, communication becomes more hostile and critical, especially towards therapist

Dev’t of cohesiveness; members begin to trust each other and therapist more, communication more supportive and positive, increased self-disclosures, greater participation, grp strong enough to deal with issues concerning members

Question 3

Benefits of Group Therapy

Answer 3

Mechanisms of change or growth related to group outcome =
installation of hope (more important for lower functioning grps)
universality
imparting info
altruism
recapitulation of the primary fam grp
dev’t of socializing techs
imitative bx
interpersonal learning*
cohesiveness
catharsis*
existential factors