A review of group systems theory (original) (raw)

The Interpersonal Model of Group Psychotherapy

The Wiley‐Blackwell Handbook of Group Psychotherapy, 2011

The interpersonal model of group psychotherapy, predicated on the early work of Harry Stack Sullivan and subsequently developed into a comprehensive model of group psychotherapy by Irvin Yalom, is described in this article. Using the common clinical illustration and descriptions of group members, the authors address the theoretical underpinnings of the interpersonal model of group psychotherapy; ways of maximizing patient engagement; group leadership principles; and the group leader's responsibility to facilitate the group effectively within the here-and-now. Core elements that will be addressed include the group leader's role in fostering group cohesion; receptive and expressive aspects of empathy; and interpersonal feedback and therapeutic metacommunication. All group therapists have had the experience of realizing their group is off track, along with the recognition that the group leader, whether novice or experienced, may have contributed to the group quandary. During these instances, our theory guides us through the maze of confusion that often accompanies such occurrences. It is crucial that the group leader have a reliable theory to help the group operate as a healing therapeutic entity. Interpersonal group theory will provide the theoretical framework for this article. We appreciate the opportunity to articulate the theory and technique of the interpersonal model of group psychotherapy using the brief clinical illustration created by our colleague, Dr. Joseph Shay.

Small groups in counseling and therapy: Process and leadership. (2nd ed). By B. W. Posthuma

Group, 1997

Book Review Small Groups in Counseling and Therapy: Process and Leadership. (2nd ed). By B. W. Posthuma. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1996, 261 pages. Dr. Posthuma's book, Small groups in counseling and therapy: Process and leadership (2nd ed.) was originally written to educate occupational therapy students about group dynamics. Dr. Posthuma, in this second edition, intended to broaden the readership base to educate other professionals who work with small groups and included such topics as the utility of small groups in counseling and therapy, group development, group dimensions, goals and norms, membership, Ieadership and co-leadership, theoretical approaches, observations and analysis, group activities, and self-help groups. Dr. Posthuma uses the framework of the group as a system, so that "intricacies and complexities are recognized as inherent" (Posthuma, 1995, p. 16). Through text and charts, she elucidates how group homeostasis is changed and affected by latent or intentional member activity and how groups subsequently grapple with these changes and resolve the disequilibrium. The strengths of this volume can be unequivocally catalogued. Posthuma's book contains interesting appendices, summarizes complex information within comprehensive charts, gives pragmatic advice on leading groups, and elucidates techniques to process group sessions. For those professionals intending to conduct short-term structured, or low-functioning in-patient groups, there are interesting exercises contained within the appendices. In these exercises, she concretizes building self-respect through composing an inventory of personal assets to review during periods of low self-esteem. These might offer a new beginning to break into the negative spiral patients begin when they catastrophize. In her "what to do if..." chapter she cites situations which are stimulated within group therapy, such as: last minute input, apathy, monopolistic behavior, silence, interindividual interactions, membership terminations, etc. Her advice is to the point, tactfully phrased, pragmatic, and worth trying.

Modeling group process constructs at three stages in group psychotherapy

Psychotherapy Research - PSYCHOTHER RES, 2009

This study examined the relationships among group therapy processes measured by the Working Alliance Inventory–Short Form, the Therapeutic Factors Inventory Cohesiveness subscale, and the Group Climate Questionnaire–Short Form in a sample of 145 patients attending 18 psychodynamic groups. Five hypothesized models were tested early in therapy (Sessions 3 and 4) using multilevel confirmatory factor analysis. Two three-factor models approached conventional standards of model fit. By merging these two models, a three-factor model consisting of member–leader alliance, positive bonding relationship, and negative relationship fit the data well. Later in therapy, member–leader bonding was no longer important to member–group cohesion, indicating that cohesion and alliance and the member–leader versus member–group bonding represent different processes.

Small Group Process and Outcome Research Highlights: A 25-Year Perspective

International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 2017

We summarize major research findings from the past 25 years within the larger evolution of group psychotherapy. Small group process findings are highlighted from a group-as-a-whole, interpersonal relation, subgroup, individual member characteristics, and leader perspective. Special emphasis is given to cohesion and the significant correlation between cohesion and outcome. We note that group therapy is an empirically well-supported treatment for a large number of psychiatric disorders and describe evidence supporting the outcome of various theoretical orientations. Key studies showing outcome equivalence for group and individual therapy are reviewed, followed by a high-level summary of group therapy's efficacy research for depression, bipolar, social phobia, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating, substance-related, trauma-related, HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, chronic pain, schizophrenia, and borderline personality. We conclude with the promise of recent advances for moving the field forward over the next 25 years. In honor of IJGP celebrating 75 years of publication, we have summarized the past 25 years of group psychotherapy research and trends. The information in this article has been drawn from two research review chapters by the author (Burlingame, MacKenzie, & Strauss, 2004; Burlingame, Strauss, & Joyce, 2013) and framed by the 100-year history of group psychotherapy. The two research review chapters focused on five domains or themes of group psychotherapy research: formal change theory, patient characteristics, structure, leader characteristics, and small group process. For the sake of space, in this review we will focus primarily on two domains: small group