The Art of Bridging Revisited

Abstract

The importance of connecting group member to member is highlighted in this article. Basically, its value is in finding creative ways to join members together. The article highlights the importance of emotional communication. I look at similarities with other group therapists, particularly exploring those between Ormont and Yalom. It is the goal of this article to highlight how this technique can be of importance for all group therapists. Clinical examples of connecting members from beginning to intermediate and advanced levels are highlighted. A selected literature review is included. ENHANCING MEMBER-TO-MEMBER EMOTIONAL DIALOGUEThe main goal of many therapists (Ormont, 1990;Yalom & Leszcz, 2005) is connecting members of the group to one another. Yes, the leader must occasionally deal with the anger of members toward the leader, yet the power of member-to-member dialogue and how to enhance this are crucial parts of an evolving group process. Our Gregory J. MacColl has a private practice in Manhattan and Forest Hills, New York.