What Are the Different Types of Group Psychotherapy Activities?

Li Juju	(Psychotherapist)	Department of Clinical Psychology, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital
Sun Chunyun	(Deputy Chief Physician)	Department of Clinical Psychology, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital
Liu Huaqing	(Chief physician)	Department of Clinical Psychology, Beijing Huilongguan Hospital

Group psychotherapy is generally presided over by 1 or 2 therapists. The treatment object can be composed of 8 to 15 members with the same or different problems. Treatment occurs as a party, which can take place once a week for 1.5 to 2 hours each time. The number of treatments may depend on the specific problems and circumstances of the patient. During treatment, group members discuss issues of common concern to everyone, observe and analyze psychological and behavioral responses, emotional experiences, and interpersonal relationships about themselves and others, so that their behavior can be improved.

Introduction to Group Psychotherapy

During treatment, group members discuss issues of common concern to everyone, observe and analyze psychological and behavioral responses, emotional experiences, and interpersonal relationships about themselves and others, so that their behavior can be improved.

The main feature of group psychotherapy is that as time progresses, group members naturally form a group relationship and atmosphere of closeness, cooperation, mutual help, and support. This relationship provides each patient with an opportunity to interact with other members of the group, allowing them to try to face life from a different angle, by observing and analyzing the problems of others and deepening their own problems Recognize and solve your own problems with the help of others ^[1] .

Basic principles of group psychotherapy

Group therapy does not have a relatively complete and systematic theory like individual therapy. Any kind of individual psychotherapy can establish a corresponding group psychotherapy method according to its own theoretical principles. Therefore, specific treatment processes and methods, and their In terms of the theoretical basis, there are great differences in various group treatments, but if you compare group treatments from a macro and integrated perspective, you can still find that they have many things in theory.

Regardless of which group therapy is emphasized: psychological problems, behavior problems, behavioral disorders and various adaptation problems are generated, developed and maintained in interpersonal communication or in a specific social environment, then collective problems must be solved through collective relations This is the most important theoretical idea on which group therapy is based. Therefore, the group therapy of all factions emphasizes the importance of group relations.

The human lifestyle is always inseparable from the group relationship. After birth, people first live with family groups. In the process of continuous growth, they have learned to interact with many different people, including neighbors, classmates, colleagues, etc. The interaction experience of important people (such as parents, spouses, teachers, etc.) has a more important impact on the growth of individuals. Individual psychological activities are also inseparable from interpersonal relationships. He interacts with others and the social environment through social learning and gradually forms a cognitive system of everything in the surrounding environment and self. Their Emotional and behavioral responses always point to certain people and things in the environment, and the formation and development of personality cannot exist without interaction with others and the environment.

On the other hand, individual psychological problems, such as emotional disorders, interpersonal relationship disorders, inappropriate behaviors, and various other adaptation problems also arise and develop in the context of different groups in social life. Some unsuitable behaviors may be the result of improper reinforcement in the environment; the individual's special response pattern formed in the subcultural environment may prevent him from adapting well to the dominant culture of the society, thus creating various adaptive obstacles ; Behind some neurosis or mental illness, there may also be a special family model and growth experience.

In short, various psychological problems are inseparable from the influence of groups and environmental factors. It should be logical and smooth to use group therapy to promote the solution of these problems. Traditional individual psychotherapy often isolates the patient from the environment in which the problem arises. During the treatment process, the patient's psychological and behavioral performance, and his description of his problem are often disconnected from the actual situation in real life, while group therapy It breaks through this limitation, it creates a collective relationship that is closely connected with the patient's actual experience, and also provides a real learning place for each patient.

In this kind of treatment, patients can observe, analyze, and describe their problems more realistically based on the special group formed by themselves and others, and mobilize their experience of interacting with people in real life, by interacting with other people. The patient's interaction, with the help of others, makes more targeted adaptations and improvements in life.

Effective principles of group psychotherapy

Emotional support for group psychotherapy groups

Accepted and Accepted by Others-Individuals live in society. If they are not accepted and accommodated by family, friends, or others, they will feel lonely and unreliable. It is even more uncomfortable if you have physical and mental defects and are rejected or rejected by others. The basic function of group therapy is to make participants feel that they are being taught by members of the group, feel that they are part of the group, feel at ease, and have a sense of belonging. If it is a sick patient, sympathy and acceptance can be obtained because of "compassion for the same disease."

Mutual learning in group psychotherapy groups

Exchange of information and experience-Communities are the media for conveying information. Through the interaction between members, patients' introspection, self-understanding and communication ability can be improved. Through role changes, you can see me in the eyes of others, improve your self-expression ability, increase sensitivity to others and perception, and learn how to resolve conflicts.

Positive experience of group psychotherapy group

Enjoy group reunion-some people have not experienced a warm family life or experienced close friends since childhood, and have negative views and attitudes towards interpersonal relationships. For such people, it is necessary to try positive group experience. If the members participating in group therapy can gradually establish group reunion through the supervision of the therapist, they can realize that the members care about each other, can unite together, have a common interest, help each other, and can maintain healthy relationships Attitude.

Group psychotherapy repetition and correction of "original family experience" and emotions

Repetition and correction of "original family experience"-the so-called "original family group" refers to the family relationship that everyone experienced when they were young. Because the family is the earliest group experience of the individual, it is called "original" group experience. Because people experience different families, everyone has different original group experiences. Some people are warmly and cared for by their parents and experience a family relationship full of emotions and affections. Others are abandoned, bullied or abused as children, leaving a past that they dare not recall or resent, especially when they are unstable or have psychological difficulties People often have unpleasant original family experiences.

Group psychotherapy classification

The forms of group psychotherapy are very diverse: participants can have a specific psychiatric diagnosis or not; the therapist can be involved, or they can be observers; groups can be open or closed. Group therapy may have specific topics, such as abstaining from alcohol, strengthening awareness of psychotropic substances, and preparations for discharge; or there may be no fixed topics, such as interpersonal interaction groups. ^[2]

(1) In theory, group psychotherapy can be divided into four types:

Activity groups: This group can be used to strengthen social skills when patients are unable to participate in other groups, such as functional rehabilitation groups.

Support groups: Existentialism is the theoretical foundation of support groups. Existentialists May and Yalom believe that ^[3] : People can reflect on themselves and transcend the environment. This is a kind of self-awareness. If we can extend our self-awareness, we can improve the ability to enrich life. The role of the therapist is closer to that of intellectual health education, and family members of mental patients may benefit from such groups.

Problem-focused groups: For example, alcohol cessation groups. Members support each other, try to identify impedance, and develop response strategies.

Psychodynamic groups: Contains all the connotations of psychotherapy and group therapy, hoping to achieve the ultimate internal change. Emphasize self-awareness, self-discovery, self-identification, and development of personal potential, and the focus is also on interpersonal interaction within the individual ^[4] .

(2) From the group form, it can be divided into three different types

Structured and unstructured group therapy: Structured group psychotherapy refers to a group that has been fully planned and prepared in advance, and has scheduled procedures to allow members of the group to implement the treatment. Unstructured group psychotherapy is a fixed event that does not have a procedure. , Implement treatment for the group members.

Closed and Open Group Therapy: Open group treatment refers to a group whose members are not fixed and constantly changing, and new members are interested in joining at any time. Closed group refers to a fixed group from the first party to the last The activities, the group members remain unchanged, enter the group together, and end together.

Homogeneous and heterogeneous group therapy: Homogeneous group therapy refers to the similarity of the conditions or problems of the group members themselves; heterogeneous group therapy refers to the large differences in the conditions or problems of the group members themselves. People with very different ages, experiences, and statuses have different problems.

Development stage of group psychotherapy

Group psychotherapy dependence

Wait and see, what the therapist means; the entire group is in an uncertain state, lacking structure, no issues, only personal goals and no group goals; patients want to show the best behavior, try to give advice and help others on the surface, and themselves Be careful and unwilling to take risks.

Group psychotherapy conflict

Unwilling to rely on replacing the original dependency; disappointed with the therapist; showing conflicts and competition among members, frustration and anger (expressed as being untimely or absent), swearing, attacking, marrying and impatient among members Wait; patients will show negative emotions and test if the group is trustworthy. This low morale and disappointment is the price that the group must pay, and it is the only way to mature and healthy group treatment.

Group psychotherapy intimacy

I have a more realistic view of the therapist and do nt think he is almighty; the conflict between members questions disappears and close to each other replaces mutual exclusion (Can I get closer to other people?); The group shows more Great trust, sharing (sharing), and self-disclosure. The negative emotions expressed at this time are generated on the basis of mutual understanding and in a context that is full of supporting power structures.

Group psychotherapy effect factor

1. Altruistic thinking: through his assistance to group members, he feels that he is pretty good, or realizes some of his advantages.

2. Group Cohesion: The feeling of "everyone together" experienced by group members, that is, the spirit of teamwork (solidarity). Members feel accepted and no longer separated from others.

3. Same sex: Members receive similar problems and feelings when they receive other members.

4, interpersonal learning: members through other people's perception of themselves, so as to better understand the nature of their problems.

5. Interpersonal learning: Groups provide certain opportunities for members to give members the opportunity to connect and interact with others in a more adaptable manner. A group is a place where members practice new behaviors, and it is an experimental field.

6. Guidance instructions: pass information, share information, and give advice through the therapist or other members.

7. Emotional dumping: Members release emotions in the group about situations that happened in the past or at this time, so that the emotions are relieved. These emotions include anger, sadness, sorrow, etc., which were difficult or impossible to release in the past.

8. Identity imitation: Members think that he is like another member or therapist in the group and therefore imitate him in behavior.

9. Family reappearance: Reproduce the bad experiences of some original families in the group and give them the opportunity to correct and reorganize. New and effective experience in the community will replace previous bad experience.

10. Self-understanding: Members should know as much as possible about the mechanism and origin of their behavior, and psychologically recognize their illness.

11. Hope infusion: Members see that others have improved or are in the process of progressing, so they feel that the group is helpful, and they have an optimistic hope that the group can help themselves.

12. Existing factors: The member must finally accept the fact that he must be responsible for his own life.

Conditions for participating in group therapy

1. Be motivated, want to change, and be ready to change.

2. Have confidence in group treatment and be willing to participate in treatment.

3. Sufficient psychological maturity, can reflect on oneself, pay attention to others, and can tolerate temporary discomfort during the treatment.

Goals of Group Psychotherapy

1. Group goals: divided into general goals, specific goals, and goals for each meeting.

The general goal is that all group psychotherapy has. For example: reduce symptoms, improve mental health, develop the ability to get along and cooperate with others, deepen self-understanding, increase self-confidence, strengthen the sense of belonging and cohesion of the group.

Specific goals are the specific goals each group wants to achieve. For example, "hospital life guidance groups" for worried anxiety in hospitalized patients; "out of the trough of emotions" for bereaved people; "quit smoking groups" for smokers.

With the development of the collective, each meeting has different goals. For example: acquaintance, increase trust, self-awareness, value exploration, providing information, problem solving, etc.

2. The goals of the group have the functions of orientation, maintenance and evaluation: A clear understanding of the goals of the group will help the group leader to choose related activities and focus the group activities in a certain direction.

3. The goals of group psychotherapy guided by different theories: The goal of psychoanalysis group therapy is to assist group members to reshape their personality and improve their personalities; the goal of behavior therapy groups is to teach group members to develop a set of self-management methods, so that Able to control one's life and effectively deal with current and future issues; supportive group therapy has no clear goals, as long as the team leader creates and maintains an atmosphere of sincerity, respect and empathy for the group, it can lead to self-image and autonomy of the group members Behaviour has changed.

Major indications of group psychotherapy

There are three main types of modern group therapy: psychotherapy, interpersonal training, and growth groups. The focus of psychotherapy is remedial and rehabilitation. The group members can be mental patients or neurosis patients with psychological problems; the latter two groups are growth and development, and the participants are ordinary people, the purpose is to Improve relationships, reach your potential, and realize yourself. Group therapy has been widely used in hospitals, schools, enterprises, the military, prisons and other fields, suitable for different people to participate.

Group psychotherapy expert opinion

Group is the epitome of a micro-society. Through the interaction between members in the group and the feedback of real feelings, understand the mode of interpersonal communication in daily life, and promote individuals to observe, learn, experience, understand and analyze themselves in interpersonal communication. , Accept yourself, improve and adjust interpersonal relationships, learn new attitudes and behaviors, and develop good life adaptation.

Group therapy, because of the establishment of a therapeutic alliance, can easily lead to a sense of belonging, and empathize with the thoughts, emotions, or behaviors of other members by setting up a place. By helping others, feeling altruistic, and learning some skills, it is good for improving self-confidence and improving disease symptoms ^[5] .

In many cases, individual consultations have been done for a long time and they can't find the clues. When they are put in the group, they will soon show his problem. In particular, patients with strong psychological defense and relatively paranoid personality will quickly expose real interpersonal patterns in group therapy. Often, the interaction of these interpersonal patterns brings a lot of emotional distress and difficulties to the patient, which leads to many The psychological problems and problems presented in group therapy (perhaps the patient has never realized it) are just very important opportunities for treatment and cultivation.