Circles of Care: Applied Group Analysis with Family and Friends

Abstract

Whilst the needs of carers (family and friends) of those with mental disorders has received more formal recognition in society, there is a long way to go in terms of the provision of consistent support and consistent caring for carers. This article describes three examples of applied group analytic interventions for carers, in the fields of substance misuse and personality disorder respectively. With each group I concentrate on different aspects: (a) illustrations of group dynamics in the first group, including a discussion of the ‘co-dependency’ concept; (b) issues around setting up a new intervention in the second, and the overcoming of service resistances; and (c) the re-establishment of a group culture, and its formal evaluation, in the third. The aims of such groups are discussed, not only in terms of increased wellbeing and coping but less self-sacrifice and better self-protection in the presence of damaging behaviours by loved ones.