University of Mindanao Critical Analysis on Group Therapy

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves one or more therapists

working with several people at the same time. This type of therapy is widely available
at a variety of locations including private therapeutic practices, hospitals, mental
health clinics, and community centers. Group therapy is sometimes used alone, but it
is also commonly integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes
individual therapy and medication. Groups can be as small as three or four people,
but group therapy sessions often involve around seven to twelve individuals
(although it is possible to have more participants). The group typically meets once or
twice each week for an hour or two (Paturel, 2012). While, according to author Oded
Manor in The Handbook of Psychotherapy, the minimum number of group therapy
sessions is usually around six but a full year of sessions is more common. Manor
also notes that these meetings may either be open or closed. In open sessions, new
participants are welcome to join at any time. In a closed group, only a core group of
members are invited to participate.

According to McRae (2013), today, group therapy has become a well-known

practice and is used to treat a variety of mental health issues such as addiction,
substance abuse, depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and much more.
She asserted that studies have been showing that group therapy, when properly
applied, can be an effective therapy. And also, she pointed out that a good group
therapy is led by specially trained and certified therapists who have experience in
helping people make significant changes within a group setting.

An article published in the American Psychological Association's Monitor on

Psychology suggests that group therapy also meets efficacy standards established
by the Society of Clinical Psychology (Division 12 of the APA) for panic disorder,
bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia and substance abuse
(APA, 2012).

Group therapy allows people to receive the support and encouragement of the
other members of the group. People participating in the group can see that others
are going through the same thing, which can help them feel less alone. Group

Psychotherapy and Counselling Mr. Ronald C. Tres

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Submitted to: Dr. RYAN DALE ELNAR, RPm May 19, 2018
University of Mindanao Critical Analysis on Group Therapy

members can serve as role models to other members of the group. By observing
someone successfully coping with a problem, other members of the group can see
that there is hope for recovery. As each person progresses, they can, in turn, serve
as a role model and support figure for others. This can help foster feelings of
success and accomplishment.

Group therapy is often very affordable. Instead of focusing on just one client
at a time, the therapist can devote his or her time to a much larger group of people.
Group therapy offers a safe haven. The setting allows people to practice behaviours
and actions within the safety and security of the group. By working in a group, the
therapist can see first-hand how each person responds to other people and behaves
in social situations. Using this information, the therapist can provide valuable
feedback to each client (Paturel, 2012).

But the obvious disadvantage for the therapist, when supervision takes place
in a group setting, is that urgent needs for supervision on a particular case may be
overridden by the needs of other supervisees. Presenting a case in a group is akin to
public speaking, which for many people is more anxiety provoking than two person
conversation, and may therefore hamper optimal openness, clarity of mind, and
learning capacity (Andersson, 2008). Also, as Altfeld (1999) points out, critical
responses of other group members to the presenter’s work may generate shame,
embarrassment and anxiety. In addition, the actual dynamics of the supervision
group may decrease the effectiveness of the supervision for the therapist. Patterns
of behaviour, stemming from early experiences of family dynamics, like sibling
relationships and parent/authority relationships, may be activated in the group, and
result in rivalry, competitiveness, shame, and increased defensiveness (Scanlon,
2000).

When supervision in a group therapy is a disadvantage for the therapist, it is

likely that be a disadvantage for the client, since, with more beneficial supervision,
the therapist could have been better suited to help the client. Reflection on the
client’s material by a supervision group could, in some instances, be a disadvantage

Psychotherapy and Counselling Mr. Ronald C. Tres

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Submitted to: Dr. RYAN DALE ELNAR, RPm May 19, 2018
University of Mindanao Critical Analysis on Group Therapy

for the client. Since the group members only have access to a ‘second-hand’ version
of the client, via the therapist, some degree of distortion of the client material must
unavoidably occur. This may turn the attention of the supervision process in a less
fruitful direction, if not put it on the wrong track altogether. This distortion may be
further affected by the group dynamics, and hence be completely unpredictable
(Andersson, 2008).

Apart from the logistical challenges, such as coordinating times and places for
meetings, that come with all group work, a primary disadvantage when supervision
takes place in a group setting are the added demands that it puts on the supervisor.
As Rosenthal (1999) points out, therapists in supervision display the whole range of
resistances that members of actual therapy groups do; they avoid attention,
monopolise attention, form subgroups, try to defeat the facilitator, try to become the
facilitator’s favourite and so on.

In conclusion, group therapy could easily be considered an effective form of

psychotherapy. Group therapy provides insight into one's problems because they are
able to see how others are dealing with their problems. Although group therapy is not
for everyone, it is beneficial because it is comforting to know that you are not alone.
Group therapy provides emotional and social support to those who have nowhere
else to turn and provides exposure to others with similar problems.

Group therapy may not entirely solve a person's problems, but it will provide
the client or patient the confidence he or she needs in order to move on. Therapy
can provide an outlet for communication and frustration; it can be a safe haven for
those who are lost. The main goal of psychotherapy is to help people understand
themselves better; it is the spark that could change a person's life. Although any
therapy is considered good, group therapy will provide a lost person with an
accountability partner and will provide the motivation they need to complete their
goal. Whether a person decides to go to family counselling, support groups or
activity groups, any type of help is good and shows that the problem is recognized.

Psychotherapy and Counselling Mr. Ronald C. Tres

Reyes
Submitted to: Dr. RYAN DALE ELNAR, RPm May 19, 2018