Group Psychotherapy

Group psychotherapy, is intended to help people who would like to improve their ability to cope with difficulties and problems in their lives. But, while in individual therapy the patient meets with only one person (the therapist), in group therapy the meeting is with a whole group and one or two therapists. Group therapy focuses on interpersonal interactions, so relationship problems are addressed well in groups. The aim of group psychotherapy is to help with solving the emotional difficulties and to encourage the personal development of the participants in the group. The therapist (called conductor, leader or facilitator) chooses as candidates for the group people who can benefit from this kind of therapy and those who may have a useful influence on other members in the group.

Group characteristics

Usually, there are between 8 to 12 members in the group. Above 15 members, it is impossible to create a therapeutic atmosphere and have enough time for each member to work personally. The length of every session can be from an hour and a half to three hours (this does not include workshops and marathon groups). The frequency can be once to twice a week. The duration of the group depends on many components such as the severity of the problems and the targets sought. It can be from a few months to a few years. You should allow 4 to 6 months to pass in order to feel the effect of the group.

Role of Participants
The participant in the group is expected to be present each week and come on time. It is required that the information brought up by members of the group and their names be kept confidential by all the group members. In some groups, the participant is asked to commit for a specified length of time at the beginning of the group. The usual commitment is between 3 to 6 months. This facilitates getting a sense of how the group works. When participating in a group, you will not be required to talk, or reveal intimate issues when you do not want to. However, it is clear that the more you can participate, be open and talk about yourself, your feelings and thoughts - the more you can gain from this experience.

Effectiveness

1. It helps to understand one another's behavior and symbolic productions successfully;
2. the learning of new behavioral patterns or modification of old behavior is best achieved for some patients in group therapy;
3. group therapy facilitates the transition and adjustment of the patient to the hospital, and to discharge from the hospital;
4. group psychotherapy greatly facilitates the patient's ultimate adjustment to society.