Group psychotherapy: features, techniques, goals and methods

Recently, quite a lot of popularityrecruited books by Irwin Yalom about group psychotherapy. This approach to working with people in medicine is practiced relatively recently, has its followers and opponents. It is difficult to deny that group psychotherapy is not always effective, but it is equally impossible not to recognize its positive aspects. There are many cases when it was the work in the group that was the only method of successful cure of patients.

What is it about?

Group psychotherapy involves the formation ofa group of stakeholders who meet regularly on a specified neutral territory under the supervision of a treating doctor. The task is to solve urgent problems by persons who need the help of a psychotherapist. For the first time such an approach was applied in practice by JH Pratt, who specialized in internal diseases. In 1905, he simultaneously worked with several people with severe tuberculosis. Almost all of them could not afford expensive medical services, and Pratt helped them find an alternative method. It was decided from time to time to collect a group of patients, tell them how the disease proceeds, to receive information about changes in the patients' condition. Practice soon showed that those who underwent treatment in such groups recovered much faster than those who had access to costly individual health improvement.

For the first time in psychiatry, the method of forming groups wasIt was applied in 1925. The author of the new approach was Jacob Moreno, who developed the theory of psychodrama. The approach was widely spread during the Second World War, as it was then that the number of people who needed help from a therapist increased noticeably, while the number of doctors was not large enough to conduct counseling on an individual basis.

Nowadays, the theory and practice of the grouppsychotherapy continues to develop. Many are convinced that this method is the future of psychiatry, but there are also people pointing out the drawbacks of this approach. First of all, this is the impossibility of direct work with the client. In addition, not everyone approaches therapy in a group - often people are too closed, and this is especially pronounced if you put them in the environment of strangers.

The development of theory

As group psychotherapy began to recruitspeed, the method is actively being improved, and modern doctors have much more information, ways to influence patients, rather than doctors of the second half of the last century. For optimal effect, patients are divided into groups, whose classification is based on specific problems, disorders. Currently, this method of treatment is indicated for certain eating disorders, as well as for victims of abusers. Often, psychotherapy in groups are persons who are fighting with cancer. At the same time, there is no way to formulate the exact canon: when work in groups is applicable and mandatory, and when - is unacceptable and harmful. It all depends on the individual patients and the characteristics of their mental state.

The basis of group psychotherapy - workwith several people having similar life difficulties. Rarely, there are fewer than five patients in the group, but work is not practiced with more than 15 at a time. Sometimes patients are under the control of one doctor, but it is possible for several psychotherapists to be present simultaneously. The optimal frequency is one or two times a week. Effectiveness can be seen if you go through six or more sessions, although doctors are advised to be treated for at least a year.

What is right for me?

There are two main approaches to psychotherapy:

• group counseling;
• individual interaction.

Of the main advantages of working with groups -financial accessibility. Psychotherapy is quite an expensive pleasure, but the modern rhythm of life and the conditions of our daily routine are such that it is becoming increasingly difficult to do without it. In addition, working with the group allows you to get closer to reality, as each of the patients has the opportunity to interact with other people, the same as himself. You can hear someone else's point of view, get acquainted with the opinion of another person and expand your own view of things.

During a group session, each participant canto observe others, receiving a lot of useful information, food for thought. The more people, the more intense the event, the more emotions it causes, gives rise to a strong emotional response from each participant. This gives an opportunity to reveal to everyone present in a short time.

Simultaneously with the listed featuresadvantages and opportunities for group psychotherapy are also available to the doctor, since the work is easier than with an individual visiting a client's consultation. Interacting with several people, you can resort to different ways of obtaining data about customers. When working one-on-one the expert can only rely on what was said by the incoming, but in the case of group interaction, he has the opportunity to observe how each of those present behaves.

How to choose the method of work?

The best option is the combination of group techniquespsychotherapy and individual communication of the doctor with the patient. Recently, people who can afford treatment in the group are increasingly turning to help, but combining the two options is considered the most successful, promising.

A common practice is group therapy,in which all the assembled are united by some strictly limited problem. This approach is widely used in the treatment of depressive disorders, panic, bipolar. Group methodology in psychiatry is relevant when dealing with social phobes and people with OCD. The group is the most convenient and effective method to support, to provide help to a person facing severe conditions, provoked by the loss of a loved one. This psychotherapeutic method is applicable in the fight against incontinence, zazhatosty.

Important aspects

From the positive aspects of group psychotherapy, it should be mentioned:

• the opportunity to feel the approval of ordinary people;
• training in combating difficulties with the example of others;
• an opportunity to understand yourself, analyzing the interaction with other persons.

At the same time, a person, turning to opportunitiespsychotherapy in the group, it seems to get a "shelter": at the same time he has the opportunity to interact with the representatives of the society, but for this there are created safe conditions in which one can not worry about not accepting, disapproving.

Features of the human psyche are such thatThe reason for the difficulties is much easier to understand, if you observe from the side for those who are struggling with the same problems. But when you try to analyze yourself a person faces difficulties: it is extremely problematic to adequately assess the situation and to realize what is the "root of evil". The Institute of Group and Family Psychology and Psychotherapy is the same section of medicine that gives every interested person an opportunity to understand himself by watching others. Analyzing the behavior of people confronted with similar situations, one can formulate how one should change one's thinking and actions. Cooperating with a psychiatrist, clients are usually open, honest, and therefore, powerful feedback is established, everyone can understand what impression he makes on others, what features of his behavior become obstacles to adaptation to the society.

Where are the pros, there are cons

Methods of group psychotherapy are nota universal solution to any problem. Not every person can undergo treatment in this format, everything depends on personal and individual characteristics. Some come to the course, but in fact only interfere with others, and they themselves do not benefit from attending classes.

There are cases when a group becomes conformal, no conflicts are opened, the participants do not open. Each only plays the chosen role, in fact, the course becomes useless.

How can you learn from any modern book aboutgroup psychotherapy, the main idea is the formation of a group where participants behave openly, sincerely. From each is required the maximum possible empathy for him. Such behavior is not typical for ordinary society, surrounding a person in everyday life, which creates a desire to stay in a comfortable atmosphere for life. A person wants to continue communication in the established group, avoiding reality, withdrawing himself. By the way, about books: mentioned above for the authorship of Yalom - one of the basic editions, literally a reference book for the psychotherapist working with groups.

Objectives and objectives

Group psychotherapy is designed torelieving the symptoms of mental disorders and achieving changes in the patient's condition. The idea is to achieve personal growth for each participant. To do this, you have to recognize and formulate the problem, reveal its essence, analyze the situation, realize the information received while assimilating it and correct it on the basis of the revealed own behavior. Successful completion of the course helps to normalize relationships with other people, their own attitudes.

The psychotherapist creates a comfortable for everyoneparticipants an enabling environment for people in need of support. Surrounding help each other, worry about each other and work together on the awareness of experience. One of the basic phenomena of the theory of group psychotherapy is the definition of the emotional content of a state, a situation. All emotions must be voiced, understood and accepted. The psychotherapist and the group members formulate the tasks to be achieved during the course. They are divided into two categories:

• verbal;
• non-verbal.

The first - psychodrama, discussion. The second - psychological gymnastics, music therapy, drawing.

What to do and how?

Considering how the group beganpsychotherapy, it is worth remembering - the participants gathered in groups to discuss their condition, obtain information about possible changes, as well as recommendations for therapy. At present, the aspect of conversation is just as important as at the time of the birth of this method of treatment. Group discussion is the basic element of therapy, and the whole process of treatment is based on it. Topics of conversation can be very different: the biography of the participants, topics that interest them, aspects of behavior that attract attention.

All other approaches applicable withingroup psychotherapy - auxiliary. Psychodrama is a method with which you can playfully consider the situation of the performance of a certain social role by the participants. It helps to understand the problems of all those present. Psycho-gymnastics is another effective auxiliary method. His idea is an emotional expression through gestures, facial expressions. Through this practice, each participant can open up, realize their own state. Projective drawing has a similar effect - it makes it possible to bring to light the deep-seated problems of a person. The psychotherapist sets the theme, and the audience creates drawings. The result of the work is discussed by all participants.

Music therapy is one of the methods activelystudied at the Institute of Group Psychotherapy as a field of science. It is already clear that it is through music that people can be brought together, and the sounds have a relaxing effect on the participants. Music therapy is active, passive. The first option - all those present sing, play musical instruments, the second - a discussion of emotions, pictures that pop up in memory when listening to sounds.

Theory: Present and Future

As can be seen from the growing competition inspecialized educational institutions, group psychotherapy training attracts broad masses. Indeed, young people see the potential in this method and seek to master it as the most accessible and effective. Do not forget that the psychiatrist who practices such approaches will always have clients: the sessions are relatively inexpensive, many can afford them. When people come to classes, they want to make their everyday life better, and the psychotherapist becomes their guide to a better world. In this case, all existing groups can be divided into three types:

• therapeutic;
• educational;
• aimed at improving the participants, solving their problems.

What is group psychotherapy for participantscourse? It is at the same time an opportunity to learn and adjust the experience gained. People work with emotions, lead to normal behavior, affect their own mind. Confrontation is one of the main techniques that allow to achieve success in this. On different sides of the "barrier" are the patient and the inherent difficulties. The psychotherapist helps him to realize and accept himself, to solve his own problems, using feedback with the participation of all members of the group. An important aspect is the exact transfer of the peculiarities of the client's perception by others.

Important aspects

Group psychotherapy of adolescents, adultsassumes that the therapist takes over the functions of the process manager. His task is to lead the group, to keep members active, to explain to those around him that each of those present understood. The doctor is responsible for the positive attitude of the participants, eliminates bias, draws attention to any positive trends caused by the treatment, demonstrates them with examples of those present. The very hope that it gives to all participants becomes an important tool for healing. When a person sees how the other struggles and overcomes similar problems, he is also filled with strength and confidently goes to success, realizes that any obstacles are overcome, you just need to make efforts - the state will definitely change for the better.

An important step of group interaction is awarenessthe fact that participants in society are not alone. It is necessary to be able to see it, to feel that everyone has problems in life, but people cope with them, pass through them, learning new things, gaining experience, accepting themselves. In the course of understanding these aspects, group members under the supervision of a psychotherapist learn to trust others, to allow them closer to themselves. In life, people usually share experiences with family and friends, while others are completely closed, isolated from external experience, against the background of which there is a sense of the uniqueness of their problem, an incredible burden of burden. Once in the group, realizing that others have similar difficulties, a person perceives difficulty more easily, feels union with others.

Awareness and attitude as the key to success

During the group lessons from others and the doctorThe client gets a general idea of ​​what is included in the concept of mental health, what pathologies are possible, what dynamics are observed for him. You can hear tips, get a guide to action. All this gives a sufficient amount of information for analyzing and understanding the processes of one's own psyche. A person understands the fallacy of his ideas and analyzes them, while the state is getting better, new ways out of the current situation appear. The patient sees what measures need to be taken in order to harmonize with his own inner world.

There are many cases where the fact itselfunderstanding himself, the processes occurring in his psyche made the person sufficiently independent not to need therapy further. The patient turns into a researcher, realizes the causes of problems, their consequences, solutions. Explanation, as theorists say, is the most significant key that allows you to control yourself and the world. Uncertainty, in turn, serves as a source of fear, anxiety.

Along with this, the success of the program is largely due tothe ability of the patient to give, the awareness of their own need, importance relative to others. There are a lot of cases when people who were disappointed in themselves and in their ability to share and give turned to group psychotherapy. Such even feel themselves a burden. Having found out that the opinion, experience acquired by them is important and useful for someone, they receive new forces, an impetus for life.

Past and future

Group psychotherapy helps to leave inpast conflicts associated with the characteristics of family education. At the same time, the group itself has much in common with the family, but reveals all the problems and difficulties that are caused by the person’s past. The therapist and others help the client to get rid of negative emotions, expressing them, verbalize their children's experiences, realize them, accept and change.

Group psychotherapy helps to developsocial skills. This may be the main objective of the course or a goal achieved indirectly. The first option involves the formation of the game situation, accompanied by difficulties for the client. The second option is to encourage strong feedback.

The therapist analyzes the patient’s behavior thatIt helps to learn to all members of the group about their habits and peculiarities of interaction with others. Against the background of the information received, anyone can develop and improve. Many learn to grasp the atmosphere, acquire the skills to resolve a conflict situation, successfully avoid condemnation, understand themselves, others. After a course of group psychotherapy, a person acquires the skills of empathy.