GOALS OF GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY

Abstract

The goal of group psychotherapy, as I see it, is not a fixed one but a progressive one, changing to meet the needs of society. In my experience, group psychotherapy has been an evolutionary development in relation to human behavior. That is, my first experience in this field of therapy was at a mental hospital, where most of the participants were suffering from psychosis. The particular method which I have used was originated by one of the other doctors on the staff, and called by him "the non-verbal approach." By the use of this technique many withdrawn psychotics were stimulated to an emotional response, sometimes an extreme one. For instance, I recall a mute catatonic suddenly and forcefully verbalizing protestations against being disturbed.