In order to assess the need to formulate training requirements for practitioners of group therapy in therapeutic milieus attached to the Cape Provincial Hospital service , the organization, theoretical framework and functioning of these therapeutic milieus have been cutline. The group therapy component of the therapeutic milieu programmes and the present training provider to all four psyct1iatric disciplines from whose ranks the co-therapists of the therapy groups nrc dravm have been examined . Within this framework an assessment of the need to provide bath improved training and some consider able training in common for the four psychiatric disciplines involved has been made. Evidence from U1e writer's observations reached during thrills' years or supervision of psychic social work students' group therapy in the therapeutic milieus together with examples from the students I process records has been cited to support the conclusion that these needs do exist. The training requirements have been analysed into four components: the theory, experiential group attcnd~1ce, group therapy practice, supervision. The formulation of a training programme embracing these components is advocated . It is concluded that the training programme 3hould to a great extent be applicable to co-therapists from the different psychiatric disciplines. Finally, a number of proposals as to hm-1 improved c1:1d common training programmes can be evaluated and implemented · have been outlined.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University

Bibliography: p. 175-180. / Die doelstellings van die ondersoek kan soos volg kortliks saamgevat word: 1. Om 'n analitiese onderskeiding te maak van die begrippe groepberaad en groepterapie, en aan te toon dat groepberaad, soos deur maatskaplike groepwerkers beoefen, 'n terapeutiese strekking het; 2. Om groepberaad as 'n proses van maatskaplike groepwerk te omskryf; 3. Om, deur groepberaad met vroulike alkoholiste te onderneem, die metodiek van groepberaad te illustreer; 4. Om die terapeutiese kragte wat terapeutiese verandering in 'n beraadgroep teweegbring, te identifiseer en te omskryf; en 5. Om die aard van terapeutiese verandering en die evaluasie daarvan, kortliks te bespreek.

Prior work has provided support that women with breast cancer are hyper-responsive to stressful challenges and that Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) interventions can lead to reductions in cortisol, a measure of physiological stress. It may follow that breast cancer patients would show decreases in cortisol levels if they are taught stress management techniques. The purpose of this study was to investigate post-intervention psychosocial processes (i.e., participants' perceptions of achieved specific skills targeted by CBSM and non-specific changes associated with the group experience) that may explain intervention-related changes in cortisol among a sample of women as they moved through medical treatment for non-metastatic breast cancer. It was hypothesized that (a) women receiving a 10-week, group-based stress management intervention during ongoing medical treatment for breast cancer would show reductions in late afternoon serum cortisol levels and (b) perceived ability to implement stress management skills or other experiences gained in the supportive group environment may explain changes in cortisol. Participants (N = 128) were women recruited 4-8 weeks post-surgery for non-metastatic breast cancer. Women were randomly assigned to receive either the 10-week CBSM intervention (N = 63) or a one-day psychoeducational seminar (n = 65). The intervention aimed to teach relaxation, cognitive restructuring, and interpersonal skills. Participants were assessed at study entry, 6 month follow-up (i.e., 3 months post-intervention) and 12 month follow-up (i.e., 6 months post-intervention). Latent Growth Curve Modeling (LGM) was used to test for differential effects of study condition on change over time in cortisol and the effects of specific and non-specific group processes on change in cortisol. Results indicated there was a significant effect of study condition on change over time in cortisol, relaxation skills, and assertiveness skills. There were not significant relationships between changes in cortisol and any of the components analyzed and mediation was not established using LGM. There was, however, a significant association between changes in an item that assessed cognitive restructuring and cortisol. Exploratory analyses of lagged (Time 2 controlling for Time 1) psychosocial processes mediating (Time 3 controlling for Time 2) cortisol changes were then conducted. Results indicated that condition's effect on cortisol approached significance and condition had a significant effect on the muscle relaxation component and cognitive restructuring item. Furthermore, there was evidence that intervention-related changes in confidence about using muscle relaxation and cognitive restructuring may help explain decreases in cortisol levels among this sample of women. Overall, this study demonstrated that a 10-week, CBSM intervention was associated with decreased cortisol levels and increased relaxation and assertiveness skills. Furthermore, there was a strong relationship between changes in cognitive restructuring and cortisol. Future research should investigate how changes in cortisol may be related to health behaviors and health outcomes among breast cancer patients.

Emotion Regulation Group Therapy (ERGT) är en transdiagnostisk gruppbehandling för personer med svårigheter med känsloreglering och självskadebeteende. Nationella självskadeprojektet, som fört behandlingsmetoden till Sverige, rekommenderar att genusspecifika förhållningssätt utvecklas för att göra vården mer jämlik. Syftet med denna studie var att beskriva behandlarnas kliniska erfarenhet av ERGT och manliga patienter. Sex behandlare blev intervjuade. Metod för analys av intervjuerna var systematisk textkondensering. Resultat visade att behov av genusperspektiv i ERGT var störst i början av vårdkontakten då bedömning av svårigheter med känsloreglering och bedömning av förekomst av självskada sker. Det som kräver särskild medvetenhet är att män kan ha svårt att beskriva känslor och hur självskadebeteendet ofta är mer indirekt. Erfarenheten hos behandlare var att upplevelsen av olikheter minskade med tiden, då gruppen kunnat se bortom föreställningar och normer, att det svårighet med känsloreglering och självskadebeteendets funktion istället var det gemensamma.

There is no consensus in the research on how those in a mental health profession should view pornography use. Hence, clinicians have taken various approaches to working with clients presenting with problematic pornography use. For such clients, Brigham Young University has created the Sexual Concerns Groups. Seventeen current, previous, and future group members, along with four group leaders, participated in focus groups for this study. We used collaborative hermeneutic interpretation to understand the experience of participants in these groups, and we identified five main themes: Shift in the Therapeutic Focus, Confronting Sexual Avoidance, Spirituality, Interpersonal Relationships, and Self-Perception. We discuss implications for these groups and future research.

The purpose of this survey study was to evaluate the current practice of inpatient group therapy in general hospital psychiatric units in a southeastern state and to determine whether there was a need for a more systematic method of designing, implementing, and evaluating general hospital group therapy. A second major purpose was to test a model to determine if it could be used to evaluate current practices of general hospital psychiatric group therapy on a more global basis. The history of group therapy and current nationwide statistical data relating to general hospital psychiatric units were summarized. A survey which addressed unit operations, unit staffing patterns, types of patients, and general practices regarding psychiatric unit group therapy was administered to 35 general hospital psychiatric unit administrators in a southeastern state. A standard interview protocol was developed and administered on-site to six group therapy practitioners. These interviews gathered information relative to specific unit group therapy practices, evaluated whether Group Pentagon components were utilized in group therapy practices, and identified factors influencing unit group therapy practice. An analysis of the available literature indicated there was little information relative to the practice of group therapy on general hospital psychiatric units. The literature analysis also revealed no consistent model or procedures for the design, implementation, and evaluation of group therapy in general hospital psychiatric units. The survey and interviews demonstrated that group therapy programs appeared fragmented, varied across units, and did not appear to be designed, implemented, or evaluated in a consistent manner. During the interviews, the practitioners described the lack of many of the conditions necessary for the provision of effective group therapy on their general hospital psychiatric units. The literature review analysis, survey, and interviews indicated the components of the Group Pentagon were not utilized in general hospital group therapy programs. The Group Pentagon provided a useful model for evaluating overall group therapy programs, as well as reviewing specific group therapy procedures. Finally, this research established a protocol for evaluating general hospital and potentially other group therapy practices. / Ed. D.

No description available.

This is an original, serious, three-act play for eleven characters. The drama focuses on a group therapy situation involving three women patients, two men patients, and their therapist. Flashbacks are utilized to provide knowledge of the characters' pasts. Role playing, dream analysis, and behavior modification are some of the tools employed by the counselor. While the therapist does utilize these techniques adequately, his own personal problems prevent him from being as effective as he might be. Consequently, at least two of the characters are propelled to their own destruction, possibly as a result of the therapist's failure. Of course, the possibility does remain that they would have chosen the same paths without the counselor's influence.