M.A. (Psychology) / Group therapy is one of the range of applications of psychotherapies generally accepted in the practice of psychology today. The objective of this literature survey is to give a general overview of the theory and practice of group therapy. An overview of the development of the therapeutic use of groups, indicates that the original didactic, individually-orientated approach to groups, was influenced by a variety of theoretical viewpoints. The period following the Second World War was characterised by difficulty and controversy regarding the theoretical approach to groups, and it was only from the nineteen sixties onward that the social nature of human problems was acknowledged. Investigation into the development of group therapy revealed that a great deal of attention was given to the development of different theoretical models. Within the scope of this paper only the most important developmental aspects are covered, with specific emphasis on the theory of Yalom (1985). In the literature, Yalom is generally regarded as an important contributor to the development of group therapy, as his research, theory and practice accomplished an integration of the various group therapies. Yalom, in his approach, separates the group into front and core aspects. The front consists of the form, language and techniques of each of the schools of therapy, while the core described that which is intrinsic to the therapeutic process, namely the mechanisms of change. Yalom also emphasises the therapeutic factors necessary for effective group therapy, irrespective of the underlying theory or technique. This approach lends itself to be regarded as an integration theory.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:12180 |
| Date | 01 September 2014 |
| Creators | De Kock, Karen |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johannesburg |
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