The process goals of group therapy include facilitating the clients' growth in comfort and function within the group.

Michigan State University

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy. Groups of patients meet under the supervision of a therapist in order to work through problems together. Patients are able to share experiences and learn from other patients that have had similar experiences. 

Group Therapy

Malhotra, A., & Baker, J. (2022). Group Therapy. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31747219/

Group interventions have shown effectiveness in treatment for survivors of childhood abuse. Group intervention are significantly more effective than individual treatment alone for depression and anxiety in survivors of childhood abuse.


Group Therapy for Survivors of Childhood Abuse



A combination of family and group psychotherapy in which several families meet simultaneously at agreed upon intervals with therapists present. 

Multiple Family Group Therapy (MFGT)

A form of group therapy in which two or more family members meet with two or more therapists at once. 

Multiple Family Therapy

Process Goals of Group Therapy

- Behavior corrections
- Development of interpersonal and relationship skills
- Education
- Installation of preventative measures and coping skills
- An eventual return to normal functioning within society

Outcome Goals of Group Therapy

Important factors for clients success in group therapy: 
- Universality
- Altruism
- Instillation of hope
- Imparting information
- Corrective recapitulation of primary family experience
- Development of socialization techniques
- Imitate behavior
- Cohesiveness
- Existential factors
- Catharsis
- Interpersonal learning
- Self-understanding

Yalom Therapeutic Factors in Group Therapy

- Forming
- Norming
- Storming
- Performing
- Adjourning

Phases of Group Development in Group Therapy

- Group Experience is Universal
- Group Therapy is used to bring about changes in attitude and behaviour
- Groups produce change which is more permanent
- Groups act as instruments for helping others
- Through Groups, people can grow together
- It is easy to change people in groups than at the individual level

Universal Assumptions About Group Therapy

The following members may not be suitable for group therapy:
- Persons with acute psychotic symptoms
- Those with active suicidal thoughts
- Organic disorders
- Physically unhealthy individuals
- Persons with significant Cognitive decline/deficits
- Persons with severe Personality disorders
- Poorly motivated persons

Contra-indications for Group therapy

- Selection of Individuals
- Number of Members
- Seating arrangements
- Frequency of group session
- Time Period
- Age range

Broad Principles Underlying Group Formation in Group Therapy

1. Group Purpose: Group members must be well-informed about the primary objective, which is to come together and discuss their individual problems.

2. Group Discipline: Emphasizing regularity, punctuality, and confidentiality.

Ground Rules for Members in Group Therapy

- Two therapists must be present. They can interchangeably handle participant recordings during each session.
- Prior to commencing therapy, the Group therapist should conduct individual sessions with each member.
- The therapist should be mindful of their own emotions and feelings towards the group members, considering that their past experiences with other groups, such as students or colleagues, might influence interactions within the group.

Ground Rules for the Therapist in Group Therapy

Groups can be classified as either Closed or Open Groups, which hinges on whether the same set of members participates consistently in a session or if new members can join. Furthermore, groups can be categorized as either homogenous, consisting of members with similar characteristics, or heterogeneous, comprising individuals with diverse and varying characteristics.

Types of Groups in Group Therapy

- Directive 
- Extensional
- Interpretive
- Enabler/Leader
- Knowledgeable
- Facilitator
- Attentive
- Organized

Attributes and Roles of the Therapist in Group Therapy

- Planned Group Formation
- Specific Objectives
- Purposeful Worker - Group Relationship
- Continuous Individualization
- Guided group Interaction
- Democratic Group self-determination
- Flexible Functional Organization
- Progressive Programme Experiences
- Resource Utilization
- Evaluation

General Guidelines for Conducting Group Therapy

- Skill in establishing purposeful relationships
- Skill in analysing the group situation
- Skills in participating with the group
- Skill in dealing with group feeling
- Skills in programme development
- Skill in using agency and community resources
- Skill in Evaluation

Skills required for a Group Therapist

Social Group Work is utilized for personal growth and development in non-clinical settings, while Group Therapy is employed as a psychosocial treatment modality for individuals with emotional or mental health issues in clinical settings.

Differences between Social Group Work and Group Therapy

- Patient Confidentiality
- Conflict
- Clients Who Ramble
- Lack of Engagement
- Patients’ Limits

Issues of Concern in Group Therapy

- Effectiveness
- Concurrent Treatment
- Cost-efficiency
- Flexibility 
- Training Opportunities

Clinical Significance of Group Therapy

- Psychoeducational Groups
- Skills Development Groups
- Cognitive-Behavioral Groups
- Support Groups

Types of Group Therapies

References for Group Therapy

Refers to a type of group therapy that involves one or more families. The systems approach is one of the most common theoretical philosophies in family therapy. The aim is to enhance the development of each family member and the family as a whole. Often, one family member's issues negatively impact the rest of the family. Therefore, it is effective in helping family members to understand what their family member is going through and how to cope with the problem, as well as stimulate resolution and growth in the case of the individual family member who is experiencing it. 

Family Therapy

DDP is a therapy, parenting approach and model for practice that uses what we know about attachment and developmental trauma to help children and families with their relationships. It is usually used with children who experienced developmental trauma. 

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