Abstract
M.A. (Psychology)
Group therapy is one of the range of applications of psychotherapies generally
accepted in the practice of psychology today.
The objective of this literature survey is to give a general overview
of the theory and practice of group therapy.
An overview of the development of the therapeutic use of groups, indicates
that the original didactic, individually-orientated approach to groups,
was influenced by a variety of theoretical viewpoints.
The period following the Second World War was characterised by difficulty
and controversy regarding the theoretical approach to groups, and it
was only from the nineteen sixties onward that the social nature of
human problems was acknowledged.
Investigation into the development of group therapy revealed that a great
deal of attention was given to the development of different theoretical
models.
Within the scope of this paper only the most important developmental aspects
are covered, with specific emphasis on the theory of Yalom (1985).
In the literature, Yalom is generally regarded as an important contributor
to the development of group therapy, as his research, theory and practice
accomplished an integration of the various group therapies.
Yalom, in his approach, separates the group into front and core aspects.
The front consists of the form, language and techniques of each of the
schools of therapy, while the core described that which is intrinsic to
the therapeutic process, namely the mechanisms of change.
Yalom also emphasises the therapeutic factors necessary for effective group
therapy, irrespective of the underlying theory or technique. This approach
lends itself to be regarded as an integration theory.