Group Therapy

Question 1

What is the minimum number of participants required for group therapy?

Answer 1

At least 2 people

Question 2

What is the typical size range for effective group therapy?

Answer 2

2-3, up to 10-12

More than 10-12 may not be effective as larger groups may make the experience less personal for participants.

Question 3

What are the two types of group therapy sessions?

Answer 3

• Open
• Closed

Question 4

What is an open group therapy session?

Answer 4

One which participant can start and stop at any point; free access to new and returning participants.

Question 5

What is a closed group therapy session?

Answer 5

One that has a set duration, such as a 4-week session; closed to new participants and participants commit to attend their set sessions.

Question 6

What is one pro and one con of group therapy?

Answer 6

• Pro: sense of community; seeing others go through the same can reduce isolation
• Con: reduced feeling of confidentiality and privacy

Question 7

What should be considered regarding the group members’ diagnoses?

Answer 7

Whether they have a:

• homogeneous diagnosis (all have the same diagnosis)
• heterogenous diagnosis (different diagnosis, but with a common thread)

Question 8

How does group size affect therapy?

Answer 8

Size matters; a group too big may lead to less opportunity to share.

Question 9

What is an ideal frequency for group therapy sessions?

Answer 9

About once a week.

For OCD, once a month.

Question 10

What would be an appropriate duration for group meetings?

Answer 10

Must be enough time for the group meeting to be meaningful for participants, yet not so long to where they become tiring.

Question 11

What is a key role of the group leader and how many group leaders are recommended?

Answer 11

Facilitating and moderating discussions; at least 2 group leaders.

Question 12

What should a leader do if something upsetting occurs in the group?

Answer 12

Address it immediately and prevent recurrence

Question 13

After a session concludes, what should a group leader do with a group member to reinforce the therapy?

Answer 13

Ask a group member to stay behind to remind them the reason the group is happening.

Question 14

What leadership style is mentioned as a core component of group therapy?

Answer 14

Different Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills should be used (eg.: Humanistic).

The MI skills will vary. Leading mainly happens in the beginning, after, hope members talk more.

For example, in an anxiety group, the first 2 weeks might be very leader-led heavy. In DBT, other members might lead mindfulness practice, etc. This is different throughout groups.

Question 15

What is the importance of group cohesion?

Answer 15

Building links and developing “chemistry” between members over time may allow them to be more open within therapy, therefore making their therapy and experience more fruitful.

Question 16

What should be ensured regarding member interactions?

Answer 16

Protect members and ensure healthy interactions. Be a mediator that sets boundaries to the interactions if needed.

The group leader may not facilitate external contact between the group members as this violates confidentiality; they will have to do this on their own.

Question 17

What does universality refer to in group therapy?

Answer 17

Showing patients that others share similar experiences and shaping the therapy to encompass all of the members’ experiences.

Question 18

What are four techniques used in group therapy?

Answer 18

• Group feedback: both leaders and members
• Role-playing: more effective is members do so
• Catharsis: more effective is members do so
• Social Learning: both leaders and members

Question 19

What is catharsis in the context of group therapy?

Answer 19

Emotion sharing that may cause emotional relief.

Question 20

What does social learning involve in group therapy?

Answer 20

Sharing common life experiences and what has worked for other members.