tified, formal leaders; all members are seen as equals.
An informal leader may emerge from a “leaderless”
group or from a group that has an identified formal
leader. Informal leaders are generally members recog-
nized by others as having the knowledge, experience,
or characteristics that members admire and value.
Effective group leaders focus on group process as
well as group content. Tasks of the group leader in-
clude giving feedback and suggestions; encouraging
participation from all members (eliciting responses
from quiet members, placing limits on members who
may monopolize the group’s time); clarifying thoughts,
feelings, and ideas; summarizing progress and ac-
complishments; and facilitating progress through the
stages of group development.GROUP ROLES
Roles are the parts that members play within the
group. Not all members are aware of their “role be-
havior,” and changes in members’ behavior may be a
topic that the group will need to address. Some roles
facilitate the work of the group, while other roles can
negatively affect the process or outcome of the group.
Growth-producing roles include information-seeker,
opinion-seeker, information-giver, energizer, coordina-
tor, harmonizer, encourager, and elaborator. Growth-
inhibiting roles include monopolizer, aggressor, dom-
inator, critic, recognition-seeker, and passive follower.GROUP THERAPY
In group therapy,clients participate in sessions
with a group of people. The members share a common
purpose and are expected to contribute to the group
to benefit others and receive benefit from others in
return. Group rules are established that all members
must observe. These rules vary according to the type
of group. Being a member of a group allows the client
to learn new ways of looking at a problem or ways of
coping or solving problems and also helps him or her
to learn important interpersonal skills. For example,
by interacting with other members, clients often re-
ceive feedback on how others perceive and react to
them and their behavior. This is extremely important
information for many clients with mental disorders,
who often have difficulty with interpersonal skills.
The therapeutic results of group therapy (Yalom,
1995) include the following:
- Gaining new information or learning
- Gaining inspiration or hope
- Interacting with others
- Feeling acceptance and belonging
- Becoming aware that one is not alone and
that others share the same problems- Gaining insight into one’s problems and
behaviors and how they affect others - Giving of oneself for the benefit of others
(altruism)
Therapy groups vary with different purposes,
degrees of formality, and structures. Our discus-
sion will include psychotherapy groups, family ther-
apy, education groups, support groups, and self-help
groups.
- Gaining insight into one’s problems and
Psychotherapy Groups.The goal of a psychother-
apy groupis for members to learn about their be-
havior and to make positive changes in their behav-
ior by interacting and communicating with others
as a member of a group. Groups may be organized
around a specific medical diagnosis, such as depres-
sion, or a particular issue such as improvinginter-
personal skills or managing anxiety. Group techniques
and processes are used to help group members learn
about their behavior with other people and how it
relates to core personality traits. Members also learn
that they have responsibilities to others and can help
other members achieve their goals (Alonso, 2000).
Psychotherapy groups are often formal in struc-
ture, with one or two therapists as the group leaders.
One task of the group leader or the entire group is
to establish the rules for the group. These rules deal64 Unit 1 CURRENTTHEORIES ANDPRACTICEGroup therapy