DO THERAPISTS AND PATIENTS SHARE NORMS ON THE CONTENT OF GROUP DISCUSSION?

Abstract

To what extent does the therapist determine the content of group therapeutic discussion? Potentially, his influence is very considerable; how much of it he will exert, depends on the technique he employs, and on his personality. Techniques range from the purposely didactic to the non-directive, and personality differences provide for variability about each mode. The groups studied for the present report were conducted according to the method of group-analytic psychotherapy, developed by Foulkes (1948), who does not repudiate the description of his technique as leaderless, neither does he definitely commit himself to this position. He bids the therapist to follow the lead of the group, a rule that allows for a variety of implementation, though "active" leadership is specifically barred.