Group Therapy As an Effective Treatment Modality for People of Color

Abstract

The unique benefits for group therapy are examined with special emphasis on the treatment of blacks and Latinos. Because of racial prejudice, economic exploitation, and negative stereotypes, group forces have been especially detrimental to the personality development of people of color. The group therapist attempts to harness these powerful group forces and use them therapeutically, thus enabling people of color to relate better to others while retaining their own autonomy. Racial differences can intensely affect diagnosis, transference, countertransference, and the "real relationship." Distinctions between cultural and functional paranoia are particularly relevant in interracial groups. Implications for training group therapists are also explored.

Evaluating Culturally Responsive Group Work with Black Women

“…In this study, perceived stress scores dropped significantly for participants of the CYC intervention group versus the wait-list control group. This result is supported by previous research on the use of group work with Black women (BoydFranklin, 1991;Denton, 1990;Fenster, 1996), suggesting the utility of group interventions that provide a supportive environment in which participants can feel comfortable discussing their difficulties with daily life stressors. This group program may have provided both a direct and indirect buffering of stress, assisting participants in altering their perception of stress and helping to alleviate stress once experienced.…”

Group Counseling With United States Racial Minority Groups: A 25-Year Content Analysis

“…The value group interventions have with diverse racial populations have been strongly emphasized in the literature by multicultural experts (Chung, 2003;Davis, 1985;Fenster, 1996;Hans & Vasquez, 1999;Shipp, 1983;White & Parham, 1990). As noted earlier group work may be particularly relevant for racial minority populations given their racial and ethnic identities, value systems, and having a shared sociocultural history that is characterized by stereotypes, oppression, prejudice, and discrimination (Boyd-Franklin, 1991;Hans & Vasquez, 2000;Ho, 1984;Nayman, 1983;Shipp, 1983).…”

Preventing Depression: Culturally Relevant Group Work With Black Women

“…It is recommended that the group leader be a Black, female professional women trained in group work. Fenster (1996) suggests that therapeutic support groups for particular populations may be most effective when adapted to include close ties with professionals and conventional services. Previous research indicates that ethnic match is related to length of treatment; fewer drop outs after one session, a greater number of treatment sessions, and markedly improved outcomes on global evaluation measures for Black Americans (Lopez & Lopez, 1993).…”