GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY WITH GERIATRIC PATIENTS

Abstract

According to my experience, anxiety decreases in group psychotherapy, transference to one or more members of the group is easy to achieve because of the variety of choices, and meaningful discussions are possible because a common goal or interest can be found with less effort. In a group of geriatric patients, the patient who tends to distort the therapist into a fearinspiring figure, feels the presence of others to be protection for him. Acceptance by the group is, at times, very important to a patient. Furthermore, feelings of difference and isolation decrease because the patient's problems are shared by others. The group may also be stimulating for the patient who must compete for the interest of the therapist and struggle for status in the group where he is brought into contact among persons of different background and outlook. Furthermore, each member of the group is helped to grow toward a higher level of emotional maturity.