Therapeutic Factors Of Group Therapy Research Articles

Can psychedelics enhance group psychotherapy? A discussion on the therapeutic factors.

Despite the growth of psychedelic research, psychedelic-assisted group psychotherapy (PAGP) has received little attention in comparison to individual psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy models. In this article, we aim to discuss the therapeutic potential of PAGP, as well as outline existing models and the challenges of this approach. Using Irvin Yalom's 11 therapeutic factors of group therapy as a basic framework, we analyse current literature from clinical studies and neurobiological research relative to the topic of PAGP. We argue that combining psychedelic substances and group psychotherapy may prove beneficial for increasing group connectedness and interpersonal learning, potentially enhancing prosocial behaviour with direct opportunities to practice newly acquired knowledge about previously maladaptive behavioural patterns. Challenges regarding this approach include a more rigid therapy structure and potential loss of openness from patients, which may be ameliorated by adequate therapeutic training. We hope for this article to support clinical research on PAGP by presenting a therapeutic framework and outlining its mechanisms and challenges.

Interdisciplinary approach of Yalom's group therapy factors: A theoretical model for including animal presence in social work education and practice.

An increasing number of studies in the field of Social Work (SW) address the incorporation of animal presence in practice and improved understanding of social support and therapeutic components. Education programs on the ethical and practical principles of animal-assisted interventions, including models and theories supporting the psycho-physiological effects of human-animal interactions (HAI), are being implemented around the world, especially in the US. While designing and implementing a new interdisciplinary curriculum can be time-consuming and, depending on the many variables, integrating elements of HAI components in existing curricula can be a more efficient approach. We present a step-by-step approach for inclusion of HAI knowledge and practice in teaching Yalom's principles and therapeutic factors of group therapy to SW students. Based on a qualitative analysis of the existent literature and on the results of several research projects in the field of HAI, we propose an approach for infusing research-informed examples and theories supporting the beneficial effects of HAI in the direction of the interdisciplinary understanding of the Yalom's primary factors in the therapeutic process, such as: instillation of hope, corrective recapitulation of the primary family group, development of socializing techniques, imitative behavior, interpersonal learning, and group cohesion. Applied values of HAI are discussed for each factor, emphasizing the added value of animal presence in group therapy settings from the perspective of the dynamic of interspecific social networks, i.e., animal-handler-group members.

A Thematic Analysis of Clients’ Reflections on the Qualities of Group Work for Sex and Pornography Addiction

A sample group of 19 recovering sex and porn addicts who had attended both one-to-one and group therapy at the Laurel Centre sex addiction clinic in the UK undertook an hour-long semi-structured interview relating to the usefulness of group work to their recovery. Interview data was analysed for themes and cross-referenced with Yalom’s 11 therapeutic factors of group therapy (Yalom and Leszcz, 2005). Some additional themes were also found that related specifically to the Hall Recovery Course psycho-educational programme that they each attended. Group work was found to be more important to participants’ recovery than one-to-one therapy but this was not consistent, and drawbacks to group work were also identified.

Validation of the URICA-S in Group Therapy: Associations of Stages of Change with Therapeutic Factors and Treatment Outcome

ABSTRACTStages of change could be driving forces to activate the realization of therapeutic factors and symptom change. Consequently, the aims of the present study were to investigate whether the stages of change concept is valid in group therapy settings shown by factor analysis, internal consistencies, and criterion validity. A total of 377 patients completed measures of stages of change, symptom change, and therapeutic factors. A confirmatory factor analysis replicated the stages of change factors for group therapy. Related to the criterion validity, stages of change demonstrated only low, non-significant associations with symptom change, but some stages of change were significant predictors of certain therapeutic factors. Further research is needed to explore whether a stronger focus on motivational stages of change could help to intensify the realization of therapeutic factors in group therapy.

Psychodynamische Kurzzeitgruppentherapie der sozialen Phobie: Beschreibung des Therapiekonzepts und einer Fallstudie

Based upon the concept of supportive-expressive therapy (SET), we developed a psychodynamic group treatment manual for social phobia, with a special focus on the patients' individual core conflictual relationship themes, their universality, as well as interventions promoting group processes and therapeutic factors of group therapy. We introduce the new concept and report results of a pilot case study (N=8). Analyses revealed a pre-post-treatment effect size of g=0.64 (95% CI [0.29; 1.00]) on the primary outcome measure, the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Furthermore we obtained positive evidence with regard to acceptance, safety and feasibility of the psychodynamic group therapy concept for social phobia. Subsequent proof-of-concept studies are required to foster treatment development and to proof the replicability of results.

Therapeutic Factors in Patient Groups with Psychosis

Therapeutic factors in group therapy are a series of action mechanisms that contribute to change in therapeutic processes. They are inherent to group dynamics and interaction, yet are not necessarily associated with a therapist’s intervention. These factors are elemental components of a therapeutic change phenomenon derived from the group matrix. We present five studies that thoroughly evaluate these therapy factors within groups of patients diagnosed with psychosis. All factors are measured with the Yalom Q-sort questionnaire that defines factors based on their value given by the patients. We evaluate and report these value differences between group context, patient diagnosis, and therapeutic orientation. Therapeutic factors act independently of diagnoses, theoretical framework, and classification; they are intrinsic components of unique group dynamics. In general, the factor claimed to be most important in patients with severe mental disorders was the instillation of hope.

Therapeutic Factors in Group Psychotherapy: A Study of Egyptian Drug Addicts

The effect of group therapy on substance-dependent patients has been demonstrated in several studies emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of this intervention. However, little research was conducted on how group therapy can help these patients. The objective of this article is to study the therapeutic factors of group therapy among a group of substance-dependent patients and to study the relation between the therapeutic factors of group therapy with these patients and clinical outcome of relapse or continuing abstinence. The study includes 80 patients divided into two groups. Group I includes 40 substance-dependent patients attending group therapy sessions. Group II is a comparison group of 40 substance-dependent patients who did not attend group therapy. Both groups received the same treatment except for group therapy. All subjects were diagnosed according to a structured interview applying the International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision. Fifteen-session group therapy was conducted for Group I, ...

Therapeutic factors and language patterns in group therapy application of computer-assisted text analysis to the examination of microprocesses in group therapy: Preliminary findings

The aim of this single-case-design study was to examine the relationships between therapeutic factors in group therapy and the language features of the group dialogue. Forty-two transcripts from a group treatment were investigated. Emotion–abstraction patterns (EAPs) were identified for the group as a whole using computer-assisted text analysis, and therapeutic factors were rated by external judges using the Kiel Group Psychotherapy Process Scale. Significant positive relationships were found between insight and the EAP connecting and between catharsis and the EAP experiencing. Interpersonal learning–output, catharsis, and self-disclosure showed higher scores in connection with the therapeutic cycle, which, according to the therapeutic cycle model, represents a sequence of EAP related to a successful therapeutic process. The current findings show that the use of EAPs allows the identification of key moments in a group therapy process.

Comparative Study of the Therapeutic Factors of Group Therapy in Schizophrenic Inpatients and Outpatients

Although there is great interest and development in the investigation of group therapeutic factors, there are few studies regarding group psychotherapy with schizophrenic patients. Given the importance of both aspects in our work, the authors of this work have analyzed the therapeutic factors for schizophrenic patients in two types of group psychotherapy - inpatients and outpatients - based on Yalom's questionnaire of the therapeutic factors (altruism, cohesiveness, universality, interpersonal learning output and input, guidance, catharsis, identification, family re-enactment, comprehension, instillation of hope and existential factors) and applying the Q-sort method to analyze it. The aim is to learn the preferential evaluations of the therapeutic factors in each group in order to establish similarities and differences with regard to the type of therapy, group stage and type of patient, and to establish guidance to enable us to approach the psychotherapy with more specific and adequate techniques.

Comparative Study of the Therapeutic Factors of Group Therapy in Schizophrenic Inpatients and Outpatients

Comparative Study of the Therapeutic Factors of Group Therapy in Schizophrenic Inpatients and Outpatients

Comparative Study of the Therapeutic Factors of Group Therapy in Schizophrenic Inpatients and Outpatients

Comparative Study of the Therapeutic Factors of Group Therapy in Schizophrenic Inpatients and Outpatients

Interpersonal Problems and the Perception of Therapeutic Factors in Group Therapy

Fifteen therapy and support groups in university counseling centers were studied to assess shift in therapeutic factors over time and the relationship between therapeutic factors and interpersonal problems. The levels of therapeutic factors tended to increase over time. Furthermore, significant associations were formed between certain interpersonal problems and perceptions of the therapeutic factors in group therapy. Implications for the conceptualization of clinical dynamics in group therapy and theoretical understanding of group development are discussed.

Using the sweat lodge ceremony as group therapy for navajo youth

The sweat lodge ceremony can be seen as a culturally relevant approach to group therapy in working with Navajo youth. This article describes the sweat lodge ceremony used at a residential treatment center located on the Navajo Nation and compares the ceremony to modern group work by identifying Yalom's (1995) 11 therapeutic factors of group therapy within the ceremony. Other psychotherapeutic features of the ceremony also are discussed. In addition, considerations for widespread use of the ceremony with Native Americans and non-Native Americans are given as well as recommendations for future research.

Inpatient group therapy in a managed health care environment: Application to clinical nursing practice

This article applies Gunderson's (1978) conceptual framework of the therapeutic milieu and Yalom's (1985) therapeutic factors in group therapy to the inpatient time-limited therapy group in the managed health care environment. Case examples demonstrate how Gunderson's therapeutic processes (containment, support, structure, involvement, validation) serve as a foundation to support Yalom's therapeutic factors. The combination of these two frameworks can serve as a model for a plan of care that promotes successful inpatient group therapy sessions in the time constraints of managed care. Constructive inpatient group therapy can be the catalyst for patients to continue with treatment after discharge.

Inpatient Group Therapy in a Managed Health Care Environment: Application to Clinical Nursing Practice

This article applies Gunderson's (1978) conceptual framework of the therapeutic milieu and Yalom's (1985) therapeutic factors in group therapy to the inpatient time-limited therapy group in the managed health care environment. Case examples demonstrate how Gunderson's therapeutic processes (containment, support, structure, involvement, validation) serve as a foundation to support Yalom's therapeutic factors. The combina tion of these two frameworks can serve as a model for a plan of care that promotes suc cessful inpatient group therapy sessions in the time constraints of managed care. Constructive inpatient group therapy can be the catalyst for patients to continue with treatment after discharge. (J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc [1998]. 4, 145-152)

The round table in a community-based outpatient service.

The community-based outpatient service of Berne has used the round table for 8 years. It has become a strong element of the care of long-term outpatients. The aim of the present study is to examine how the round table is used and estimated by the patients: whether it only fulfils the function of a psychosocial contact facility to reduce social isolation or whether it has other helpful functions of social relationship. Further, we were interested to find out which of the therapeutic factors in group therapy are of importance. Four major factors could be elaborated by factor analysis: the functions and the importance of the caretakers at the round table, the acceptance and social integration of the patients and psychotherapeutic factors such as self-disclosure and vicarious learning. The round table is not only a social contact facility but also a new form of an informal, open, socio-therapeutic group.

Reading as a Group Process Phenomenon: A Theoretical Framework for Bibliotherapy

Based on Shrodes’s (1949) model of bibiiotherapy and Yalom’s (1985) research on the therapeutic factors in group therapy, this paper presents a unifying theoretical framework for bibiiotherapy. Research and practice implications are drawn for both individual and group therapy.

Therapeutic factors in group therapy with borderline patients.

Therapeutic factors in group therapy with borderline patients.

A method for the study of therapeutic factors in group psychotherapy.

A method is described for the study of therapeutic factors in group therapy in which patients and their therapists prepare brief reports at regular intervals about those events in treatment which they regard as important; these reports are then assigned by independent judges to a classification of therapeutic factors which has been specifically devised for this purpose. The feasibility, validity and reliability of the method are discussed and its potential application to group therapy research and training briefly mentioned.