Group psychotherapy with gifted underachieving college students

Abstract

The author conducted an experimental pilot study of a group of nine students at Brooklyn College, all of whom were identified as “gifted underachievers.” Each student was selected on a random basis, in consecutive order of referral, and was tested psychologically before and after 22 weekly group therapy sessions. Every member of the group demonstrated signficant gains in intellectual functioning, as well as positive personality changes. The value of short-term group psychotherapy seemed to be evidenced. The manner in which a community mental health center could collaborate with a local college or university was illustrated.