Therapy Groups

Abstract

Groups are formed for many purposes. In this entry we consider the type known as therapy or psychotherapy groups (Corey, 2011; Zastrow, 2001). Therapy groups do not have a monopoly on therapeutic outcomes. Self-help groups, for example, can be very therapeutic for their members. Indeed, there is a sense in which any coming together of people around shared purposes or concerns has the potential for a therapeutic outcome — improved psychological well-being. However, these other types of groups do not have therapeutic outcomes as their primary purpose (Kurtz, 1997).