Week 3: Foundations of Group Work and Types of Therapy
And as participants improve, the group as a whole benefits. Members can be agents of change for each other. Seeing others’ progress can help group members realize they, too, can cope and feel better.
—Dr. Nina W. Brown, “Power in Numbers”
Group therapy can be very beneficial for clients. In fact, research has shown that for many clients, group therapy is as effective as individual therapy. Members of groups are not only able to influence change within one another, but they are often able to more easily relate to the guidance of peers than that of a therapist. With the increasing popularity of this therapeutic approach, it is essential for you to have a strong foundation in psychotherapeutic techniques for groups.
This week, you explore group therapy and consider how you might apply current literature to your own clinical practice.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
• Evaluate the efficacy of group therapy techniques in counseling sessions
• Recommend strategies for leading group therapy sessions
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Learning Resources

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Required Media (click to expand/reduce)

Optional Media

Psychotherapy.net. (n.d.-a). Group therapy: A live demonstration – With Irvin Yalom [Video]. https://waldenu.kanopy.com/video/group-therapy-live-demonstration

Psychotherapy.net. (n.d.-b). Group therapy for addictions: An interpersonal relapse prevention approach [Video]. https://waldenu.kanopy.com/video/group-therapy-addictions-interpersonal-relap

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Assignment: Analyzing Group Techniques

Photo Credit: Getty Images
Group therapy can alleviate feelings of isolation and foster a supportive and collaborative environment for sharing difficult feelings in order to facilitate healing. For many people, being part of a group that has a shared understanding of a struggle provides a unique opportunity to gain understanding of their own experiences.
As you examine one of the group therapy demonstrations from this week’s Learning Resources, consider the role and efficacy of the leader and the reasons that specific therapeutic techniques were selected.
To prepare:
• Select one of the group therapy video demonstrations from this week’s required media Learning Resources.