Basics of Group Psychotherapy

Filling a significant gap in the clinical literature, this unusually practical manual addresses the nuts-and-bolts issues involved in conducting group therapy. Featuring contributions from leading experts in the field, the volume covers everything from determining which patients will benefit from a group experience to step-by-step instructions for running group sessions as effectively as possible. A hands-on manual, the volume is also an ideal companion to a basic text on group psychotherapy.
Organized in a unique, logical sequence, the chapters begin with an explanation of how to select patients for a particular group intervention and how groups are composed. The different stages of group interaction over time are then covered in detail, as are the changing aspects of the therapist's role during the various stages. Setting forth basic principles of group technique--including the management of resistance, transference, primitive group dynamics, and countertransference--a clear distinction is drawn between the roles of therapists conducting group treatment and therapists working in other treatment modalities.

Harold S. Bernard, Ph.D., is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Chief of the Group Psychotherapy Program, Division of Ambulatory Services, New York University/Bellevue Medical Center. He is Book Review Editor of the International Journal of Group Psychotherapy and a member of the journal's Editorial Committee. Coeditor of the Handbook of Contemporary Group Psychotherapy and the author of numerous book chapters and journal articles, Dr. Bernard is a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association and was a member of its Board of Directors from 1991 to 1994. A past President (1991-1993) of the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society, he maintains private practices in both New York City and Westport, Connecticut.

W.E. Piper, M. McCullum, Selection of Patients for Group Intervention. K.R. MacKenzie, The Developing Structure of the Therapy Group. R.R. Dies, The Therapist's Role in Group Treatments. K. Porter, Principles of Group Therapeutic Technique. H.S. Bernard, Difficult Patients and Challenging Situations. J. Schoenholtz?Read, Selection of Group Intervention. E.C. Lonergan, Using Theories of Group Therapy.