Countertransference: The Conductor's Emotional Response within the Group Setting

1991 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Prodgers

In the postwar years there has been considerable debate on the use and usefulness of the therapist's countertransference feelings in individual psychotherapy, whereas in group psychotherapy, at least in the UK, there has been comparatively little attempt to address these issues. This paper reviews countertransference in relation to the complexities of the group situation. In particular I argue that for the group the term `countertransference' is itself confusing, and this is reflected in its usage, which creates potential for misunderstanding.

Author(s):  
Mary Griggs ◽  
Cheng Liu ◽  
Kate Cooper

Abstract Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly experienced by asylum seekers and refugees (ASR). Evidence supports the use of cognitive behavioural therapy-based treatments, but not in group format for this population. However, group-based treatments are frequently used as a first-line intervention in the UK. Aims: This study investigated the feasibility of delivering a group-based, manualised stabilisation course specifically developed for ASR. The second aim was to evaluate the use of routine outcome measures (ROMs) to capture psychological change in this population. Method: Eighty-two participants from 22 countries attended the 8-session Moving On After Trauma (MOAT) group-based stabilisation treatment. PHQ-9, GAD-7, IES-R and idiosyncratic outcomes were administered pre- and post-intervention. Results: Seventy-one per cent of participants (n = 58) attended five or more of the treatment sessions. While completion rates of the ROMs were poor – measures were completed at pre- and post-intervention for 46% participants (n = 38) – a repeated-measures MANOVA indicated significant improvements in depression (p = .001, ηp2 = .262), anxiety (p = .000, ηp2 = .390), PTSD (p = .001, ηp2 = .393) and idiosyncratic measures (p = .000, ηp2 = .593) following the intervention. Conclusions: Preliminary evidence indicates that ASR who attended a low-intensity, group-based stabilisation group for PTSD experienced lower mental health scores post-group, although the lack of a comparison group means these results should be interpreted with caution. There are significant challenges in administering ROMs to individuals who speak many different languages, in a group setting. Nonetheless, groups have benefits including efficiency of treatment delivery which should also be considered.


1983 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald J. Dyck ◽  
Hassan F.A. Azim

The present study examined consumer satisfaction with services provided in a Psychiatric Walk-In Clinic in order to determine not only general levels of satisfaction but also whether or not differences in satisfaction exist between different user groups. Although levels of reported satisfaction were generally high, group psychotherapy patients reported being significantly less satisfied than patients who had been assessed at the clinic or who were in individual psychotherapy. None of the demographic variables including previous psychiatric experience, diagnosis and patient visits were related to satisfaction. These data were discussed in terms of program development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
G. Paul Blimling

In this article, I respond to the insightful commentaries by Karen Riggs Skean (2019), by Richard Harrison (2019), and by Ben Adams (2019) on my hybrid case study of "James," a survivor of chronic relational trauma (Blimling, 2019). These commentaries have stimulated me to think further about the impact of music on my individual psychotherapy work, both with James and with subsequent clients, and specifically with regard to its impact on my approach to group psychotherapy work. In addition, these commentaries have raised particular issues that I respond to, including, (a) constructive criticism by Skean and Harrison regarding the potential further use of "metaprocessing" and the developments made in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) since I completed the Case of James; (b) Skean’s perceptive point explaining how an individual therapist can take a personal passion—like music or literary writing or bicultural identity—and use it to enhance his or her enlivened presence in therapy with a client; and (c) Adams’ thesis that music and psychotherapy both have their origins in the shamanistic practices of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, suggesting that the combination of psychotherapy and music is a kind of return to our very roots.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Jennifer Yontz-Orlando

The United States is facing an epidemic of mental illness, affecting nearly 60 million Americans annually (http://www.nami.org/ ). The World Health Organization describes mental health as “a long neglected problem” and has established an action plan for 2013-2020 (http://www.who.int/mental_health/action_plan_2013/en/). One way to combat mental illness is through bibliotherapy, which is the use of written materials including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry to support emotional and psychiatric healing.Bibliotherapy has been in existence since ancient times, but began in earnest in the United States in the 1850’s during the “Great Awakening.” At that time, mental illness began to be seen as a medical condition rather than a supernatural phenomenon. Since then, due to the changing nature of our institutions, interest in bibliotherapy waned until the 1950’s when there was a slight resurgence in its practice. However, in the last 20 years, bibliotherapy has gained a stronghold in the United Kingdom. To relieve the stress of an overcrowded mental health system, public policy in the UK has supported the use of bibliotherapy in a variety of its institutions. There are many ways to conduct bibliotherapy, but studies show that when the process is interactive, such as in a support group setting, the results are better. Also, bibliotherapy can be conducted by many sorts of professionals, including doctors, therapists, social workers, teachers, and librarians. Studies also show that when the bibliotherapists are trained in the best practices of bibliotherapy, results improve. Bibliotherapy is an effective, low-cost alternative for people in need of therapeutic assistance. The UK model should be studied and implemented in the United States and in other nations to help solve the mental health crisis.


Author(s):  
Sigmund Karterud

Ideally, the assessment phase of patients who are referred to mentalization-based treatment (MBT) should conclude with a mentalization- based case formulation. The structure and content of such case formulations are described. Their aim are: i) to enhance treatment alliance and ii) to provide some structure to the treatment process through suggesting privileged themes related to emotions, relational patterns and mentalizing. MBT is a conjoint kind of psychotherapy, integrating individual and group therapies. Case formulations has belonged to the tradition of individual psychotherapy, while being mostly ignored by group therapists. The question is: are case formulations also relevant for group psychotherapy? How can they be properly introduced while not disturbing the group processes? The theme is discussed through a clinical vignette that illuminates typical therapeutic challenges in dynamic group psychotherapy with borderline patients. The author concludes with some suggestions for clinical structure, process and research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv34-iv39
Author(s):  
James Frith ◽  
Lisa Robinson ◽  
Julia Newton

Abstract In the UK each year there are over 250,000 emergency hospital admissions due to falls, costing £4.4 billion for falls-related fractures alone. To help reduce pressure on the NHS, the UK Fire Service are now providing home safety checks which include a review of falls hazards, provision of falls and loneliness advice and in some cases, immediate provision of aids such as grab rails. It is yet to be seen whether this will translate into a reduction in falls but it appears that the trust people place in the Fire Service is resulting in an uptake of falls prevention advice. Although we have reasonably good evidence that multifactorial falls interventions reduce the rate of falls, they are resource intensive and do not reduce the risk of falls. In contrast, exercise interventions reduce both the rate and the risk of falls and can be delivered in a group setting; however uptake and adherence is low. In an attempt to encourage local care providers to invest in falls prevention exercise, Public Health England created a Return-of-Investment tool (available online) for local commissioners to calculate the anticipated cost savings by investing in falls prevention exercise programmes. A recent, novel approach to falls prevention developed in the UK is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). This is a free, open-access, online course open to anyone with access to the Internet. The purpose of the ‘Ageing Well: Falls’ MOOC is to educate people about falls prevention and empower them to take action. In five years, the course has educated over 10,000 people from over 100 countries worldwide. One survey revealed that 95% of learners felt more empowered to manage their falls risk, with an increase in confidence to engage in falls prevention behaviours but also an increase in confidence to seek help for falls.


Author(s):  
Virginia M. Brabender

This chapter focuses upon the major ethical issues that emerge in the practice of group psychotherapy. Four issues are given particular attention: competence, confidentiality, evaluation of progress, and dual relationships. It discusses these issues in terms of the core ethical principles that they engage, and considers how the therapist would go about resolve a conflict between these principles in a given practice situation. The chapter also explicates the impediments that exist to good ethical reasoning in the group situation. These include two broad categories: lack of knowledge and skills, and human factors affecting ethical decision-making. The latter include cognitive biases such as overshadowing, processing errors, and affective stimulation. Ways of surmounting these obstacles are suggested.


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