Reflections on using group therapy as a treatment modality?Why, how, for whom, and when: A guide to clinicians, supervisors, and instructors

Abstract

This paper emphasizes the potential of group forces for benefit or harm in group therapy as well as human development. Clinical, experimental-historical, and experiential After having some 25 years of experience doing group therapy as a relatively important portion of my professional life, I chose to reexamine the basis of my commitment to group therapy. The immediate questions that posed themselves were: 1) Why use group therapy at all? 2) How does group therapy work and how can it be made more effective? 3) Does group therapy work for everyone, and for whom is it most beneficial? 4) If group therapy is an appropriate treatment modality, when in the treatment process should someone be placed in group therapy?This paper represents the results of my emotional and intellectual soulsearching on the use of group therapy as a treatment modality. It is hoped that the results of my thinking will provide a useful guide to clinicians, supervisors, and instructors of group therapy.

Sharing My Music with You: The Musical Presentation as a Tool for Exploring, Examining and Enhancing Self‐Awareness in a Group Setting

“…This feedback helped presenters gain insights which narrowed down their Blind Quadrant. In order for insights to occur and for emotional growth to take place, people must be willing to expose themselves to a certain degree and be open with other human beings in a suitable context (Fenster, 1993). The findings show that self-exposure was a necessary part of the MP's process.…”

“…This model is used to help people better understand their interpersonal communication and relationships (Luft & Ingham, 1961). It has been used to understand therapeutic processes and increase clients' self-awareness (e.g., Fenster, 1993;Ridley, 1984) and to understand emotional intelligence (Sherlock, 2002). It also was used in nontherapeutic contexts to describe unknown aspects of an organization, to improve its management and contribute to develop healthier firms (Drejer, 2000;Handy, 2000;Hase, Davies, & Dick, 1999).…”