Group Therapy Experience Research Articles

Subjective experiences of an acceptance and mindfulness-based group intervention (Feel-Good-Group) in young people with early psychosis.

Mindfulness-based interventions are promising psychological treatment approaches that may have more substantial long-lasting intervention effects than cognitive behavioral therapy when treating individuals with early psychosis. A pilot study analyzed mindfulness-based inpatient group therapy's feasibility and potential efficacy (Feel-Good). This paper explores the subjective experiences of participants in the Feel-Good inpatient therapy group to gain insight into the possible changes brought about by the mindfulness-based intervention. A semi-structured change interview was used to examine the experience of ten participants who participated in the Feel-Good intervention and the additional qualitative assessment. The interviews were conducted 16 weeks after the Feel-Good group ended (16-week Follow-Up). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. The analysis generated five themes-one about personal changes brought about by the Feel-Good group, three about the group therapy experience, and one about wishes/modification suggestions to change and improve the Feel-Good group. The findings suggested that the Feel-Good group was perceived as very helpful, leading to numerous changes in one's overall well-being and relation to emotions. However, patients recommended a more directive therapeutic style and reduced time required for study assessments. Gathering qualitative insight from participants on the Feel-Good intervention revealed meaningful insight into patients' experience of change processes. In addition, participant suggestions help to improve the intervention and study design to increase therapy attendance rates and treatment satisfaction, potentially increasing treatment effectiveness in the future. ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04592042.

Sexual Assault Survivors’ Individual and Group Therapy Experiences at Rape Crisis Center

Survivors of sexual violence often experience short-and long-term mental and physical health conditions due to the victimization. Rape Crisis Centers are community-based advocacy organizations that provide free supportive services to survivors of sexual assault, such as 24-hour crisis hotlines, medical advocacy, individual and group therapeutic services, and victim advocacy services for those with cases within the criminal justice system. However, the efficacy of these services in assisting survivors is not well known, often due to researchers’ lack of access to clients. In this paper, we investigate the experiences of survivors directly from the survivors receiving psychotherapy services from a Rape Crisis Center in an urban jurisdiction in the Midwestern United States. We qualitatively interviewed nine survivors who attended individual and/or group therapy. In-depth analysis showed that four themes emerged regarding their experiences. Two themes pertain to positive outcomes—emotional processing and group therapy dynamics. One theme concerns obstacles. The final theme relates to suggestions for service improvement. The discussion includes summaries of the reflective findings and recommendations for future practice. This research contributes to informing and improving practices and policies to better serve survivors of sexual assault.

Exploring the experience of meaning-centered group psychotherapy among Chinese cancer patients during active treatment: a descriptive qualitative study.

Meaninglessness poses a significant psychological challenge for cancer patients, negatively affecting their quality of life and increasing the risk of suicide. Meaning-Centered Group Therapy (MCGP) is an intervention designed specifically to enhance the meaning of life of cancer patients. Extensive research has documented its effectiveness across various cultures and populations. However, limited research has been conducted on the subjective experiences and perspectives of participants engaged in MCGP. Thus, the purpose of this study was to employ a qualitative design to explore the experiences and viewpoints of Chinese cancer patients who have undergone MCGP. Within a two-week timeframe following the conclusion of MCGP, semi-structured interviews were administered to twenty-one participants who had engaged in the therapy. The interview data were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis. Four main themes were identified: (a) Self-perceived personal change, (b) Overall experience of group therapy, (c) Barriers to participation of MCGP, and (d) Suggestions for future interventions. Despite the barriers to participation in the MCGP process, the overall experience for Chinese cancer patients undergoing active treatment is valuable and positive, providing multiple benefits. Future studies could explore the adaptation of MCGP to a broader range of cancer populations and diverse study populations.

집단상담자의 화상회의 집단상담 경험에 관한 질적연구

Purpose: Whilst traditional counseling has been conducted in-person, videoconferencing counseling modality was widely adopted during COVID-19. This study aims to explore the group counselors’ experiences of videoconferencing group therapy by focusing on coping experiences. Method: Participants of the study were six group counselors. They had more than three videoconferencing group therapy experiences with masters or doctoral degree in the field of counseling, and had more than 5 years of counseling experiences. In-depth interviews were conducted once or twice per participant, and were recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed using the Constant Comparative Analysis Method. Results: Results of the study are as follows; Efforts outside of videoconferencing group therapyg, Having control over group members and groups, Utilizing technology to facilitate interaction, Intervene in difficult group members and situations, and Positive attitude toward videoconferencing group therapy. Participants' experiences of were summarized as 'understanding the pros and cons of videoconferencing group therapy and creatively coping with difficulties arising inside and outside of the group by using technology and expertise'. Conclusion: Suggestions were proposed for future videoconferencing group therapy. Finally, the implications and limitations of the study were discussed.

Treatment Experiences Among Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators: A Qualitative Analysis.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global and widespread public health issue. Knowledge on what promotes individual-level reductions in risk for IPV recidivism is limited. In order to explore how group therapy influences the ability to obtain and sustain change, the objectives were to explore how IPV perpetrators make sense of and think about their experiences of group therapy and what their experiences are regarding needs of treatment for IPV perpetration. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed with the qualitative method Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Two main themes were identified; "Experiences in group therapy" (subthemes: Ultimatum as a turning point; The guys as a powerful tool for change and Unfinished ending) and "Treatment needs" (subthemes: Violence as an addiction and Weakness as a strength). The findings highlight that group therapy is experienced positively, as well as difficulties that constitute obstacles, and need of further support after ending treatment.

Engagement, clinical outcomes and therapeutic process in online mindfulness for psychosis groups delivered in routine care.

ObjectivesThere is growing evidence for the benefit of mindfulness‐based interventions (MBI) for people with psychosis. However, research is yet to evaluate the clinical benefit of delivering MBI groups online. We examine engagement, clinical outcomes, participant experience and therapeutic process of delivering therapy groups online in routine clinical practice.MethodsThe study used an uncontrolled pre‐post design to examine engagement, therapeutic benefits (depression, anxiety, beliefs about voices) and group process in a 12‐session online mindfulness group for individuals with a schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis with current distressing voices. Qualitative data on participant experience of online group therapy were analysed using Thematic Analysis.Results17/21 participants (81%) completed one of three consecutively run therapy groups. For completers there were significant reductions pre‐post in depression, anxiety, beliefs about voices and voice‐related negative affect, with medium to large effect sizes. There were individuals showing reliable and clinically significant improvements in each clinical outcome, and none showing reliable or clinically significant deterioriation. Participants’ rankings of the importance of different group therapeutic factors were very similar to those observed in face‐to‐face mindfulness for psychosis groups. Qualitative analysis of participant feedback identified three themes: ‘experience of online delivery’, ‘therapeutic benefits’ and ‘feeling connected to people in the group’.ConclusionsFindings in relation to therapy engagement, clinical benefits, participant experience and group process offer encouragement that online delivery of mindfulness for psychosis groups may be a useful addition to mental health services for people with distressing voices.

Women's and men's experiences in group therapy for substance use disorders: A qualitative analysis.

This thematic analysis of qualitative interviews from participants in Stage II randomized controlled trial examined women's and men's experiences in group therapy for substance use disorders (SUDs). Interviews were conducted with 77 women and 38 men after completion of either the gender-specific Women's Recovery Group (WRG) or mixed-gender Group Drug Counseling (GDC). Interviews were coded for themes using a deductive approach with a coding scheme modified from the Stage I trial. Satisfaction was measured quantitatively posttreatment. Participants had high satisfaction scores with no significant differences between groups. Women in GDC rated group gender composition as less helpful than those in WRG. In the GDC group, women more frequently discussed the theme of self-perception (e.g., feelings of comfort, safety, shame) compared with men. Men overwhelmingly expressed the benefits of having women in the group, whereas women expressed advantages and disadvantages of mixed-gender groups and preference for single-gender groups. Guilt and shame were discussed by women and men; however, only women discussed stigma and its important role in their addiction and recovery. Men more frequently endorsed the helpfulness of mixed-gender groups than did women while women appreciated the enhanced support in single-gender SUD groups. Issues of stigma are especially salient for women. Men and women express differences in their experiences of SUD group therapy. Only women endorse stigma as an obstacle to their treatment and recovery. Tailoring treatment to meet women's and men's needs may enhance engagement, retention, and clinical outcomes.

Online Group Therapy Experience with Schizophrenia Patients During the Pandemic Period

Online Group Therapy Experience with Schizophrenia Patients During the Pandemic Period

Online Group Therapy Experience with Schizophrenia Patients During the Pandemic Period.

Online Group Therapy Experience with Schizophrenia Patients During the Pandemic Period.

Examining racial microaggressions in group therapy and the buffering role of members' perceptions of their group's multicultural orientation.

Microaggressions have been found to occur at high rates within individual therapeutic dyads, and negatively impact therapeutic processes and outcomes for clients. However, there has been limited attention to the occurrence and impact of racial microaggressions in a group therapy context. Therefore, this study sought to examine the occurrence and impact of racial microaggressions on clients' perceptions of group cohesion and improvement in group therapy, as well as the buffering role of members' perceptions of their group's multicultural orientation (MCO) on the impact of racial microaggressions. Data for this study consisted of 71 racial/ethnic minority (REM) clients across 38 interpersonal process therapy groups. Results indicated that 72% of participants reported experiencing at least 1 racial microaggression over the course of their group therapy experience. Contrary to our hypothesis, racial microaggressions were not associated with member's perceptions of group cohesion or improvement. However, results indicated that REM members' experiences of racial microaggressions had a stronger negative effect on their perceptions of group cohesion in groups with perceived low cultural comfort. This study documents the high prevalence of racial microaggressions in group therapy and the effect of the group's MCO on the relationship between racial microaggressions and REM members' perceptions of group cohesion. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Θεραπευτική σχέση και μακρόχρονη ομαδική συστημική ψυχοθεραπεία: μια ποιοτική προσέγγιση

The therapeutic relationship has been highlighted as a major mechanism of therapeutic change in current literature. Existing research has focused on certain qualities of the therapist, such as empathy, acceptance and authenticity, as well as of the client, such as the quality of their interpersonal relationships and their expectations, which enhance the therapeutic alliance. Less is known about the importance of the therapeutic relationship in long-term systemic group therapy. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with clients who had completed long-term group therapy following an enriched systemic approach SANE - System Attachment Narrative Encephalon®. Participants were invited to talk about their personal experience of group therapy 2-8 years after its completion. Three higher order themes and six subthemes emerged related to the therapeutic relationship. The higher order themes are: (1) the role of the therapist; (2) the function of the therapist; (3) the qualities of the therapist. The subthemes are: 1.a) the therapist as a source of safety; 1.b) the therapist as a parental role model; 2.a) the expression of the therapist’s feelings; 2.b) the client’s transition from dependency to autonomy; 3.a) the therapist’s personality traits; 3.b) the therapist’s professional role fulfillment. The study aims to contribute to the bibliography of process research of long term group therapy from the clients’ perspective, in order to clarify the parameters of the therapeutic relationship the clients consider more important and helpful.

Patient experiences with group behavioural activation in a partial hospital program.

Behavioural activation (BA) is an evidence-based treatment for depression that has been primarily delivered in individual out-patient treatment. Prior research supports a positive participant experience in individual therapy; however, less is known about the patient experience in group therapy, which is common in acute psychiatric settings. The present study examined the patient experience of Brief Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression (BATD) delivered in group acute psychiatric treatment. We used thematic analysis to extract themes from feedback surveys administered as part of quality improvement practice at a partial hospital program. Survey questions explored what patients learned, liked, disliked and thought could be improved in the BATD groups. Three individuals independently coded survey responses and collaboratively developed categories and themes. Themes included several helpful content areas (e.g. value-driven activities, increasing motivation, goal setting, activity scheduling, cognitive behavioural model, self-monitoring) and learning methods (e.g. group format, experiential exercises, worksheets). Patients also identified unhelpful content (e.g. specific focus on depression and listing activities by mood). There was mixed feedback regarding the repetition of material and balance of lecture versus group participation. Overall, these findings suggest a mostly positive patient experience of group-delivered BATD and support the acceptability of group-delivered BATD as a component of short-term intensive treatment.

Lived experiences of psychiatric patients with mood disorders who attended group therapy facilitated by professional psychiatric nurses.

BackgroundAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 25% of people worldwide will develop mental health disorders during their lifetime. Patients admitted to acute inpatient units for mood disorders experience emotional distress. Group therapy has the potential to foster the therapeutic change through specific therapeutic mechanisms. Psychiatric nurses working in inpatient units are in a unique position to offer group therapy.ObjectivesExplore and describe stabilised acute psychiatric patients with mood disorders’ lived experiences of group therapy facilitated by psychiatric nurses. Make specific recommendations for psychiatric nurses to facilitate constructive group therapy for stabilised acute psychiatric patients with mood disorders in an inpatient unit.MethodA qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used in the study. A purposive sample of all patients with mood disorders older than 18 years admitted to inpatient units who participated in group therapy was made. Data were collected through conducting phenomenological interviews, observation and field notes. Interviews focussed on the following open question: ‘How did you experience group therapy facilitated by the psychiatric nurses?’ An independent coder analysed the data by using thematic coding. Measures to ensure trustworthiness were applied. The following four ethical principles were adhered to: autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence and justice.ResultsThree themes emerged from this study. Theme 1 entailed the psychological experiences of patients attending group therapy. Theme 2 highlighted the interpersonal experiences of patients. Theme 3 evolved around patients’ experiences outside group therapy. Patients initially experienced attending group therapy as anxiety provoking. However, negative psychological experiences soon transformed into positive psychological experiences.ConclusionThe findings of this study were used to make specific recommendations to facilitate constructive group therapy for patients with mood disorders.

Interprofessional Education for Group Processes in Mental/Behavioral Health

As health care organizations, accrediting bodies, and research support and promote interprofessional approaches for treatment programs, an introduction to interprofessional education and practice should occur during pre-professional education for this practice to become habit. This paper looks at applying these principles to pre-professional behavioral health student participants in nursing, recreation therapy, psychology, and social work through an interprofessional simulated group therapy experience. While the main objective of this project was to create an interprofessional experience for mental/behavioral health participants, the study also aimed to build an affinity for working within an interprofessional team and to develop empathy for individuals living with a mental/behavioral health diagnosis. All students acknowledged the benefits of empathy and collaborative affinity for both the team and consumers, and expressed concern about the lack of interprofessional learning within pre-professional programs.

Mentalization-Based Treatment From the Patients' Perspective - What Ingredients Do They Emphasize?

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore how patients with personality disorder (PD) and substance use disorder (SUD) experience mentalization-based treatment (MBT), in particular what they consider useful and less useful elements of the therapy.Method: Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 13 participants were conducted. Participants were interviewed on their experience of the different elements of MBT, their experience of working in the transference, and their view on MBT as a whole. Thematic analyses were performed within a hermeneutical-phenomenological epistemology, with an emphasis on researcher reflexivity.Results: The following themes were found in the material: “I am not alone,” “Taking blinders off,” “Just say it,” “The paradox of trust,” and “Follow me closely.” Three of these themes concerned therapist interventions; these involved addressing the relationship with the patients, addressing negative or unspoken feelings in the sessions, and validating and tolerating patients’ affect. Two themes concerned group therapy experiences; these were the experience of sameness with co-patients in group and the experience of discovering different perspectives in group.Conclusions: Patients’ experiences of useful elements in MBT resonate with theoretical tenets of (borderline) personality pathology, in particular attachment disturbances and emotional dysregulation. Patients highlight what we would label working in the therapeutic relationship, addressing transferential and counter-transferential processes explicitly, emotional validation, and enhancing mentalizing in its own right.

An exploration of members’ experiences of group therapy: an interpretive phenomenological analysis

NHS patients referred for group analytic psychotherapy often have limited capacity to manage their own or others’ emotions and therefore struggle to use analytic group psychotherapy because its unstructured format can feel too anxiety provoking. This research looked into members’ experiences of group analytic therapy, using a qualitative approach, to examine the experiences of group processes for members and their therapists. Phenomenological Interpretive Analysis was used to analyse the interview transcripts and develop over-arching themes.Findings revealed shared themes between members and therapists, describing strong feelings: ‘anger; competition with members and disappointment with therapists’ and ‘fears of emotional damage’. A super-ordinate theme of ‘weathering’ emerged, which connected to members being able to stay and understand these strong feelings and which led to themes of ‘sharing leading to new learning’ and ‘change’.Differences in themes were also found: ‘anger could be destructive’ and ‘feeling attacked’ were identified by members only, whilst therapists identified ‘re-enactment: repair or re-traumatization’. Members emphasized; ‘therapists as parents providing safety’ and ‘support from other members’ as crucial in helping them to stay to ‘weather’ the group process.The theme of ‘weathering’ was important because it related to all themes and provided an explanation for personal change in members. Clinical implications are discussed.

Measuring Cohesion and Self-Disclosure in Psychotherapy Groups for Patients with Advanced Cancer: An Analysis of the Psychometric Properties of the Group Therapy Experience Scale

ABSTRACTObjective: Understanding that the group process informs group interventions. However, there is little systematic research on group process variables in psychotherapy groups for patients with cancer. Method: We analyzed the psychometric properties of the Group Therapy Experience Scale (GTES) and evaluated its potential importance in advanced cancer therapy groups. Results: The GTES demonstrated good internal consistency (coefficient alpha = .84). An exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation yielded four factors. Although all four models were explored, the 1- and 2-factor models appeared to provide the best fit for the data. The GTES total score was negatively correlated with group size and positively correlated with number of groups attended by participants. Further, the GTES total score was correlated with post-intervention spiritual well-being, benefit finding, post-traumatic growth, and quality of life.

208 (PB-109) - Supportive-expressive group therapy experience in patients with breast cancer during adjuvant chemotherapy

208 (PB-109) - Supportive-expressive group therapy experience in patients with breast cancer during adjuvant chemotherapy

Complexities with group therapy facilitation in substance use disorder specialty treatment settings

In spite of increased attention to research-based interventions for substance use disorders (SUDs), a formidable research-practice gap impedes the implementation of evidence-based treatments (EBTs). An underappreciated dimension of this gap is a mismatch in treatment modality: Whereas clinical trial and implementation research has focused primarily on individual therapy, the majority of SUD specialty treatment is in group format, with open-enrolling groups being most common. This study aims to narrow this research-practice gap by exploring clinicians' perspectives on complexities with group therapy facilitation in SUD specialty treatment settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 group clinicians from among three outpatient SUD specialty clinics—diverse in their operational structures, treatment philosophies, clientele, and services—located in the same Midwestern U.S. metropolitan area. Interview questions addressed organizational characteristics, services provided, group therapy curricula, and use of EBTs or other structured treatments. Clinicians emphasized the importance of having flexibility in facilitating groups, through built-in group processes and clinicians' own adaptions and accommodations; this flexibility was especially emphasized for the use of EBTs or manualized interventions. Clinicians also had difficulties with group facilitation generally, as evidenced by their reported difficulty in managing complex group dynamics, their limited group therapy experience and training, and their reliance on educational groups. We discuss specific strategies for improved innovation and implementation of EBTs for SUD group therapy.

A 10-year follow-up study of completers versus dropouts following treatment with an integrated cognitive-behavioral group therapy for eating disorders

BackgroundCognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been recommended for the treatment of eating disorders, and group therapy is known to have certain advantages over individual therapy. The aim of the current study was to compare the 10-year prognosis of patients who completed integrated group CBT with those who dropped out and to examine the effect of completion of group CBT on the prognosis.MethodsThe participants were 65 adult patients with eating disorders. All patients were women and Japanese. The average age (19–37) of the patients was 25.1 ± 3.8 years, and the average body mass index (BMI) was 17.7 ± 2.0. We conducted integrated group CBT with the patients and compared eating disorder symptoms, mood states, coping styles, and self-esteem before and after therapy. Furthermore, we compared clinical features and the 10-year prognosis of patients who completed the treatment and those who dropped out.ResultsAfter 10 sessions of group therapy, Eating Attitudes Test scores, Profile of Mood States depression scores, and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations emotion-oriented scores decreased, while Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale scores increased. Regarding the results of the 10-year follow up, the completer group had more patients with a good prognosis. In contrast, the dropout group had more patients with a poor prognosis.ConclusionsThose who completed the integrated group CBT had a good prognosis. Group therapy gives the patients an opportunity to form peer relationships, and helps them to develop communication and socialization skills. Furthermore, in the group therapy sessions, the patients develop self-awareness by listening to other members of the group and they also develop interpersonal relationships. This effect may be temporary, but experience of group therapy may provide hope for the patient and increase the chance of the patient continuing treatment.Trial registrationRetrospectively registered in University Hospital Medical Information Network in Japan: No. 000028868 (May 19th, 2017).