A treatment approach in which the therapist meets with more than
one patient at the same time. In the case of family (group) psychotherapy
the patients will be members of one family. In the case of couples
(group) psychotherapy the patients will be married to each other.
In group therapy the entire group participates. Usually, there is
a group therapist or two, and these individuals make efforts to help
put into words what group members are saying to each other. Often,
comments are understood in terms of how people feel about being in
the group itself. These feelings may be positive, as in how good it
can feel to be a member of something bigger than one's self, and get
the support of others who are going through similar things. Sometimes,
people may feel intimidated, at least at first, about talking to a
group of people rather than just one on one. One advantage of being
in group therapy is that everyone gets a chance to be a leader, and
to help others. Being useful in this way can help us develop more
positive feelings about our self.This approach can be independent
of any other psychotherapy, or it may be used to compliment work done
simultaneously individually. Group therapists are not required to
but should have received training in group psychotherapy during a
residency or internship training program connected with a major teaching
hospital (that is, one connected with a medical school).