Foundations and Applications of Group Psychotherapy

The author focuses on how to provide effective individual treatment within psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic groups, and examines the structural properties of such groups as organizational entities in their own right. The book is divided into two main parts, covering foundations and applications. The former looks at the history and epistemology of the grouping process, considering both practical and philosophical questions. The latter looks at specific psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic uses of the group medium, from which the reader can expect to gain both an in-depth understanding of the human grouping process and a practical knowledge of how to organize, facilitate, and manage collective treatment regimens. The final chapter of the book considers the logistics of small-group participation and the mythic roots of small-group culture. Although each chapter can be read as a discrete unit, they are linked and sequenced by recurrent motifs, consistent structural analyses, and a generalized perspective about collective dynamics.

Who can benefit from Group Psychotherapy

It is part of being human to experience some loneliness and sadness from time to time, but persistent anxiety or depression, or ongoing difficulties with relationships, may signal the need for consultation with a mental health professional.

The mental health field offers a confusing variety of practitioners, and it is often difficult to know what kind of professional to see. The partial list below may help you understand the training and qualifications of these mental health professionals. You have the right to ask about the credentials of the person you seek help from:

Psychiatrist (M.D.); a physician specializing in the treatment of emotional problems

Licensed Clinical Psychologist (Ph.D., Psy.D.); a doctoral degree in treatment of emotional problems

Social Work (M.S.W., A.C.P); a masters degree with advanced training and supervision

Licensed Professional Counselor (L.P.C.); a masters or doctoral degree, additional supervision, and a licensing examination

During the consultation, the consultant will determine the nature of your problems and what treatment approach may be most beneficial. If group psychotherapy is right for you and you are right for group psychotherapy, the consultant may arrange for you to join a group. Your plan of treatment may also include individual, family or marital psychotherapy as well as medication prescribed by a psychiatrist

group psychotherapy

The Northern California Group Psychotherapy Society (NCGPS) is a professional organization for therapists interested in group psychotherapy. Our members are therapists from all of the mental health disciplines, including Marriage and Family Therapists, Psychiatric Nurses, Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Social Workers.

An affiliate society of the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA), NCGPS provides a number of valuable services to group therapists, other mental health professionals and the community at large. NCPGS offers a number of training and networking events throughout the year.

In addition to information about NCGPS, this website provides a resource for those interested in finding a psychotherapy group in the Bay Area and throughout Northern California, as well as information about how group therapy works.

Origins of Group Therapy

The technique of formally organized group therapy is said to have been devised by J. H. Pratt in 1905. Pratt was holding general-care instruction classes for recently discharged tuberculosis patients when he noticed the impact of this experience on their emotional states. In 1925 psychoanalyst Trigant Burrow became dissatisfied with individual psychoanalysis, and began experimenting with group techniques. Burrow hoped to decrease the authoritarian position of the therapist, and to more thoroughly examine interpersonal interactions. The application of group therapy methods to prison inmates and discharged mental hospital patients was pioneered by Paul Schilder and Louis Wender in the 1930s. At that time group therapy was found to be particularly useful in the treatment of children and adolescents. The development of group therapy was given impetus during World War II, as a result of the large number of soldiers requiring treatment.

Types of Group Therapy

There are various types of group therapy; approaches include behavior therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, sensitivity training, or Gestalt psychology (see psychotherapy ). The composition of groups varies as well, with family therapy and marriage counseling common forms in recent years. Peer group therapy usually consists of a group of individuals who have similar problems, and can be mediated by a psychoanalyst or by the members themselves. Many people seeking help prefer this sort of group therapy over individual therapy, largely because of the comfort derived from knowing that others share their problems. The approach is nondirective, and in some cases, the individual can continue attending sessions whenever they are needed. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a well-known peer support group, run entirely by members. AA has been influential in the formation of similar groups, particularly support groups centered on addictions

group psychotherapy

GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY [group psychotherapy] a means of changing behavior and emotional patterns, based on the premise that much of human behavior and feeling involves the individual's adaptation and response to other people. It is a process carried out in formally organized groups of three or more individuals who seek change, whether their problem is alcoholism, overeating, or poor social skills. The composition of a group may be heterogenous or homogeneous with reference to the age of the members or the type of problem. The therapist may be directive or nondirective, allowing the group to set their own agenda for discussion. The group becomes a "sample" of the outside world, reproducing conditions of interpersonal relationships; its members jointly participate in observing personal motivation and styles of interaction. They also participate in attempting new behaviors and dealing with the consequences of such behaviors, with the intended result that they will eventually be able to employ these behavior patterns outside the group. In observing the totality of the events that take place in group therapy, the process by which elements of personality are developed in each member is also studied.

Donate Now! To the Group Psychotherapy Foundation to support group psychotherapy education, research and training!

Our thoughts are with all of those who are dealing with the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. Please click here for information on AGPA relief efforts, trauma resources and other information. If you wish to donate to the Disaster Response Fund, click here.

AGPA participates in tsunami relief efforts - click here for information

Help AGPA earn credits by ordering your books through Amazon.com. Looking for a book written by one of the presenters at AGPA's Annual Meeting? Just go to our Group Psychotherapy Booklist. AGPA has listed books alphabetically by title. Simply click on the link that follows the title and author name and you will be directly taken to the Amazon website for that particular title where you can order the book. Can't find the title you are looking for, or want to order the latest novel or a CD by your favorite musician, connect here to Amazon.

American Group Psychotherapy Association
25 East 21st Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10010

Welcome to the American Group Psychotherapy Association’s website. Our organization is an interdisciplinary community that has been enhancing practice, theory and research of group therapy since 1942. AGPA provides the support you are looking for to enhance your work as a mental healthcare professional or your life as a member of a therapeutic group.

If you are looking for a therapist, visit the Need A Therapist Section to make sure that you ask the right questions of your potential therapist.

New York Psychotherapy Group

The New York Psychotherapy Group makes the process of finding the right psychotherapist as personalized and easy as possible. Our therapists provide expertise in the treatment of anxiety, depression and relationship problems. We also offer marriage counseling, couple counseling and family therapy.

If you are trying to find the right psychotherapist, we are a referral network of highly experienced licensed clinicians in private practice in New York City. We provide a full range of psychotherapy, counseling and psychiatric services.

The New York Psychotherapy Group provides a supportive environment in which each person receives prompt, sensitive and confidential attention. When you call, email, or fill out our online consultation form, a psychotherapist will contact you, discuss your concerns, and arrange for a consultation. We will then match you with a therapist who is best suited to your needs.

Division 49 - Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy

Click here to go directly to the website of Division 49 - Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy.

Division 49 - Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy provides a forum for psychologists interested in research, teaching, and practice in group psychology and group psychotherapy. Current projects include developing national guidelines for doctoral and post-doctoral training in group psychotherapy. The Division's quarterly journal, Group Dynamics: Theory, Research and Practice, and its newsletter, The Group Psychologist, are sent to all members and affiliates.

A Closer Look: Click here to read about the division in the Monitor on Psychology, a publication of APA

Membership Application: www.apa.org/about/division/memapp.html

President: George M. Gazda, EdD, Athens, GA

Secretary: Janice L. Delucia-Waack, PhD, SUNY, Buffalo, NY

Journal: Group Dynamics: Theory, Research and Practice (quarterly)
Editor: Dennis Kivlighan, PhD, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

March 2005 (Volume 9, Number 1), arrived March 12, 2005

June 2005 (Volume 9, Number 2), arrived July 14, 2005

September 2005 (Volume 9, Number 3), arrived October 11, 2005