People with psychotherapy issues can greatly benefit from group therapy. It is a type of treatment whereby psychologically distressed people are placed in groups under the supervision of a therapist. The focus of such a group is to aid the patients to bring change in their lives (Ezhumalai et al., 2018). Through interactions, the group members make it easier for each one of them to take advantage of the professional help given by the therapist. Thus, each individual is able to improve their social functioning by sharing experiences in the group. At the end of the group therapy, each one of them will be effectively deal with personal and interpersonal problems. However, group therapies have characteristic phases from incorporation to closure. In between those stages, different factors affect the progress of group therapy programs. In the video “ Group Therapy: A Live Demonstration ," expert therapists illuminate the processes and stages of formation of a group. Other aspects of the live demonstration include therapeutic factors and conflicts within the group and how they were managed.
In group therapy, a therapist must understand the fundamentals of group processes and stages of formation. According to Yalom and Leszcz (2005), the elements that are central to groups progressing from formation to closure, such as trust establishment and norms constitute group processes. The group in the media is way past the forming stage, as mentioned by Dr. Irvin. Members are living in the here-and-now, whereby they are concentrating on the current issues without overly worrying about the past. A key issue at the center of this group is interpersonal relationships. Issues such as anxiety and depression stem from the inability of people to establish, maintain, and nurture interpersonal relationships. At the current moment, the group seems to be transitioning into the norming stage, which follows the storming phase. Yalom and Leszcz (2005) explain that at the norming stage, interactions in a group are more cooperative and more manageable. Members are seen to be engaged in a complex synergy as they work through the process. The group interactions rapidly escalate into interpersonal discussions whereby members narrate their life experiences as they catch up.
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The first two sessions are characterized by heightened levels of reflection, self-disclosure, and giving feedback amongst the members. Each member is seen to contribute to the group conversations while also providing feedback where necessary about their interpersonal relationships. Some members also go further to describe the challenges they are facing in their lives for the first time. For example, Gill opens up on his drinking problem, which is the root cause of problems in his marriage. Phillip also talks about his obsession with sex in the group for the first time (Leszcz & Yalom, n.d). The performing stage of group therapy is characterized by various levels of conflicts, which can lead to consequences such as subgroupings and termination of therapy.
In this particular video, Pam and Philip get into a conflict that is informed by their past relationships. Consequently, Pam threatens to drop out due to the differences between her and Phillip. However, universality is a critical curative factor that members used to solve conflicts in the group. Universality aids members realize that their difficulties and impulsivities unite them. For example, after Gill and Phillip share their challenges, others are able to come out of their safe havens are narrate about their struggles (Leszcz & Yalom, n.d). Interpersonal learning is another therapeutic technique used in the group. Lerner et al. (2013) note that group interpersonal learning has been known to help solve conflicts in group therapies. For example, Phillip apologizes after group members urge him to do so while Bonnie masters socializing techniques, which lay a foundation for compassion and broad-mindedness.
As shown in the video, group therapies have positive impacts on the members if they learn to accept their shortcomings and learn to share amongst themselves. Regardless of the stage, a group is in, conflicts will arise, and it is upon the members to perceive them as learning and growth opportunities. However, this calls for proper and constructive management of these conflicts by all members. Conflicts should be addressed collectively by all, with those directly involved required to apply the lessons to ease the tensions. For example, although Pan and Phillip had a past intimate encounter, they benefit from the input of the other members, and Pam drops her threats of leaving the therapy sessions.
References
Ezhumalai, S., Muralidhar, D., Dhanasekarapandian, R., & Nikketha, B. S. (2018). Group interventions. Indian journal of psychiatry, 60 (Suppl 4), S514–S521. https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_42_18
Lerner, M. D., McLeod, B. D., & Mikami, A. Y. (2013). Preliminary evaluation of an observational measure of group cohesion for group psychotherapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(3), 191–208. DOI:10.1002/jclp.2193
Leszcz, M., & Yalom, I. Group Therapy Live Demonstration. Retrieved 10 April 2020, from www.psychotherapy.net/video/group-therapy
Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books.
