Group therapy is a type of treatment that involves one or more therapists handling one or more patients in a therapeutic class. It involves talking to each other or doing some activities together.in this case, a small group of people are sharing about their problems. As the therapy starts, a heated issue arises about the participation of all members. This confirms that a group therapy cannot be successful if all members are not involved. This silence as exhibited brings out a clear picture of what happens in agroup where some members are not active; suspicion. Suspicion can kill a group's spirit in that people don't feel secure and free. The fear of being judged or victimized makes some people to hold back. When this happens, more and more pressure builds and the group can easily disintegrate.
Inthis group, people are encouraged to talk. By the group therapist allowing them to ask each other questions, the therapist created a conducive atmosphere where people talked freely. This is a very encouraging norm set in that it makes all the members feel and appreciate being part of this unit. Though the group startedwith a little pressure, important issues came up;
- All the members were at liberty to express themselves.
- The less active members should be encouraged to talk.
However, some challenges arose from the whole set up. One, when some of the members felt judged, no one was there to set the record straight. The therapist should have come up strongly to defend them, but instead, he allowed them to defend themselves. This to me raises mixed feelings. While on one hand, people should be encouraged or rather allowed to learn how to defend themselves, on the other hand, bullies should not be used to teach these people that lesson. But somehow, the therapist must have known his group very well and that is why he allowed it to go on. This brings up another very important concept that the therapist knew and upheld; knowing the kind of people you are dealing with. The video conversation confirms that this was the third meeting and that the therapist had learnt so much about his clients is encouraging.
Another concept that works very well in group therapies is identity and role modeling. When Dan, a member of the group came late, all the members were concerned. Somehow, this shows that this unlike some other members who had not yet bonded within the group, this member was at the center. The other members had actually noted his absence and even related that attitude to his sitting a few inches behind the others. As he expressed himself, a sense of identity rose and some people even admired him. This also shows that he encouraged those still sitting at the fence to hurry up and jump in the bandwagon. Perhaps, this could have been due to his self-realization and acceptance. This client though didn't know what the solution to his issue was, he was optimistic that in the group, he would be fine. This aspect of him relating so well with the group is an indication that group therapy really works.
There was another issue of security and confidence that also came up. The movement of the camera in the therapy room should not be taken for granted. Like the commentator puts it, everybody needs to feel that that their secret is safe and that no one is in risk of being exposed. The camera could have been recording or not, but it made the patients feel being stalked. In a counseling therapy session, the client should be assured of utmost confidence and safety. That what I share can be exposed to the public is enough reason for me not to come back to the group. Like mentioned earlier, not even a sense of being judged should be felt.
Lastly, an issue of leadership void came up. This void was actually being felt from the beginning to almost the end. The leader was under attack in that he did not lead the group. In a therapy session, every debate or discussion should always be guided towards a certain objective. In this session, everyone talked as they wished. There was no clear cut objective, there was no definite order to follow. The therapies felt this void and expressed it. The therapist in a wise move didn't overreact; instead, he turned it around to help him understand his clients more. This is an encouraging situation on one hand. Every conflict should be resolved immediately and in a way that it does not bring damage to anybody else. On the other hand, it brings up a very good challenge to therapists that they should always try hard and cover every loops holes that might expose their weaknesses. No one is perfect, but in the eyes of therapies, the therapists should always be above board. They need to feel a certain confidence in that they too are safe in the hands of the therapist.
The leadership void challenge was also related to preparing and distributing pamphlets within the group. These pamphlets were supposedly supposed to provide the agenda of the day and guidelines on how to go about it.
This raises a concern in that that practice was not an original idea of the members of this group. This idea had actually been borrowed. The problem is not in borrowing, but in comparison. Every group is unique in its own ways and all members should encouraged to embrace originality. Well, this also could be viewed differently, it could be one of the problems that the members had that needed therapy; dealing with baggage.
The issue of the group norms was an important aspect in this therapy. Though the leader used reverse psychology and confrontational approach to bring this up, I believe every group should have rules and norms and it's the responsibility of the leader to get this into place.
Given a chance to participate and improve this therapy, there are a few things I would propose. One, I would encourage members to stop focusing so much on other peoples, issues and concentrate on their own. Not that other peoples issues are not important, but as you think about them and empathize, it's important to give attention to self. This will help clients understand their personal issues more. Opening up alone is part of therapy.
Another important thing in group therapy is outdoor activities. In this case, all the members are seated in a house. The house is not the problem, perhaps if these people were encouraged to maybe play a game outside, monotony and tension would ease. Games also help in encouraging people to identify, relate and bond.
I would also be very careful not to leave any lose ends on leadership hanging. A leader is an example and a pace setter. I would embrace this and practice it diligently.