International Journal of Group Psychotherapy最新文献

The article proposes a new model for online experiential training groups for therapists. Experiential groups are an essential part of training for group therapists. The article summarizes the requirements for becoming a group therapist, reviews the literature about training-process groups for therapists, and discusses the dilemmas that are part of these groups. Ethical questions and the difference between training-process groups and therapy groups are presented. This training model uses weekly online process group sessions that include a 10-minute didactic discussion at the end of each session, combined with an annual in-person intensive meeting. Group vignettes are included to illustrate group processes. The advantages and disadvantages of the model are discussed, as well as important areas for future research.

Mental health organizations are increasingly adapting tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) into psychotherapy groups. Existing literature on therapeutic modalities with similar methods and theories of change suggest TTRPGs holds great promise in creating positive change for certain mental health populations, particularly those that have not responded well to traditional psychotherapy formats. At this time, no published, peer-reviewed research has examined TTRPG therapy groups offered to adults. Here we describe the application of one 8-week TTRPG therapy group with seven adults at a forensic facility. In this case study, we also describe the data we gathered and our findings regarding the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits of participating in this TTRPG. Our findings provide preliminary support of the feasibility and acceptability of this approach, and offer new directions on how to maximize benefits to group members. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

The literatures examining psychoeducational groups and telehealth services have demonstrated positive results but less is known about the efficacy of psychoeducational telehealth groups. This study examines the perspectives of 105 Latinx college students who participated in an 8-session psychoeducational group via a telehealth platform during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research questions included (a) What was the experience of these Latinx college students participating in telehealth psychoeducational groups? and (b) What were the potential perceived advantages and disadvantages of implementing telehealth psychoeducational groups? Postintervention, a total of 16 focus groups were convened with a total of 105 Latinx college students (average number of participants per group = 6). Interviews were coded using conventional qualitative analysis and yielded four main themes: (1) group cohesion, which involved group members feeling that they were connected and that the group was a safe space; (2) group leaders, which involved leaders' preparation and knowledge and their ability to foster a safe environment); (3) cultural issues, which involved cultural values and acculturative and first-generation stress.; and (4) telehealth implementation, wherein participants described advantages and disadvantages of the telehealth approach. We discuss study limitations and directions for future research.

Group psychotherapy is an effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of many mental health and related issues. Group therapy is cost-effective and could decrease barriers to mental health services for ethnic minority populations, including Latinx people. Group cohesion is a therapeutic factor associated with positive outcomes in group psychotherapy according to meta-analyses. While information exists regarding the associations of group cohesion to other variables that may affect the effectiveness of group psychotherapy, there is no published research exploring the relationships between group cohesion and the Latinx cultural correlates of acculturation, machismo, caballerismo, marianismo, personalismo, individualism, and collectivism. We analyzed pre- and post-data from 235 Latinx college students who participated in eight sessions of one of two types of psychoeducational groups (one for dating violence prevention and one for stress management), using a multivariate general linear model (GLM) examining the relationships between our gender and cultural variables on two total group cohesion measures (GCS and GSRS). This finding partially supports our hypotheses regarding the association between cultural correlates and group cohesion: collectivistic attitudes among Latinx group members were associated with improved group cohesion. These findings have relevance for the implementation of group psychotherapy with Latinx people.

Many self-management and support groups for medical patients target a specific medical condition or diagnosis and are often time-limited. Presented is the Medical Issues Group (MIG), which is an integration of a self-management program and a therapist-led supportive psychotherapy group. This ongoing group is open to individuals with any significant chronic medical condition. Findings from our qualitative evaluation (n = 9) revealed that this group is positively received and can provide individuals who are experiencing challenges associated with living with medical illness a forum to receive high quality social support, address feelings of social isolation and loneliness, and develop adaptive coping strategies to adjust to medical illness. The inclusive structure of the group appears to provide enhanced access to high quality support and intervention for a vulnerable population. Limitations and implications are discussed.

The American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) hosts the Anne and Ramon Alonso Plenary Address each year at its annual conference. In the 2022 plenary address, AGPA's newly elected president, Dr Gary Burlingame, discusses his identity formation as a person, therapist, and group researcher and highlights several reasons why the future of group therapy is bright. These reasons include (1) solid scientific evidence for group therapy effectiveness, (2) strong scientific evidence for format equivalence, (3) links between evidence-based group factors and client improvement, (4) evidence-based support for multicultural competence, (5) AGPA progress in supporting the clinical practice of group, and (6) increasing public and professional exposure of groups. Dr Burlingame closes the address with a call to renew AGPA's commitment to community and the power of relationship.

This paper describes a single case study design examining the experiences of 14 undergraduate psychology students in Spain who participated in a group psychology course with an analytic, experiential group training component. Our goal was to better understand trainees' experiences as participants in the groups and gather their perceptions on the main mechanisms of learning that occur. Qualitative data came from participants' personal reflective journals, and thematic analysis was used to code these data. Quantitative data came from participants' pre-post scores on a therapeutic factors inventory (Yalom's therapeutic factors). Test scores suggest that altruism, universality, cohesion, increased among participants, from pre- to posttest. In addition, qualitative analysis revealed that the group process followed an expected progression (e.g., hesitant and superficial, to deep and emotionally charged interventions, to themes surrounding closure and integration). We review learning mechanisms identified by participants, such as practice in the observer role and the use of silences in the group. Finally, we review the usefulness of an experiential approach in helping undergraduate students learn about group process, develop interpersonal skills, experience personal growth, and acquire group facilitation skills. Study limitations are also discussed.