A COMPARATIVE EXAMINATION OF THERAPEUTIC USES OF GROUPS IN SOCIAL WORK AND IN ADJACENT HUMAN SERVICE PROFESSIONS

Abstract

This is a two-part paper intended to identify and highlight differences and distinctions between therapeutic uses of groups in social work and in a variety of group therapies located in adjacent human service professions. Part I contains an exploration of literature from the late 1950's to 1968. Classification schemes in the literature intended to differentiate levels and types of group therapy are examined. Differences are explored among various group therapies with respect to the conception of group, use of group processes, group purpose and task, nature of interpersonal relationships, role of the professional worker, content of the group experience, and nature of worker technology. A classification of types of group process is developed, intended to differentiate social work practice with groups from group practice in other professions. In Part II, the literarure for the decade 1969-78 is explored, and the task of differentiating therapeutic group use in social work from uses found in other professions is elaborated further. The impact on social work of therapeutic uses of groups outside the profession is examined.