Additional information about the type of group therapy offered
The role of the therapist/conductor
The group analytic therapist tends to be referred to as ‘the conductor’ rather than, say, ‘leader’. This reflects a strong democratic principle at the heart of group analytic therapy and an understanding that the therapist’s role is not to initiate discussion or to overly direct the group but to respond to it in ways that help the group make sense of the stories that are told – of the motifs that resonate and the harmonies and dissonances amongst the voices that emerge.
Just like an individual therapist, the conductor may, at times, make interpretations (suggestions about what is going on or what is ‘really being talked about’ or ‘not being talked about’). Conductors tend to do this less, however, than therapists working in the context of one-to-one therapy. This is because their role is to enable the group to do ‘the work’, rather than creating a dependence in which the group relies on the ‘leader’ to do it. In short, the conductor seeks to encourage the development of a group culture which facilitates:
• free discussion
• the sharing of experience
• reflection upon that experience
Together, these strands of individual and group work prompt changes at the level of feeling, thought and behaviour that can be profoundly helpful and liberating.
The role of the other (client) members
The role of the other members of a group analytic psychotherapy group is slightly different to that of a client in individual therapy – or rather, slightly more complex. This is because members of the therapy group are there not only to get help but to give it too. Giving help, however, doesn’t mean ‘playing therapist’ and not giving of yourself. Indeed, what soon becomes clear in a therapy group is that what is most helpful for the work of the group is for individuals to be most themselves – to be open, honest and to contribute as personally and as fully as possible. It is through the sharing of experience (of how we think and feel) in relation to our past and our present (including the relationships that develop from moment to moment in the group) and through creative reflection on that experience that individuals and the group-as-a-whole grow.
Undertaking therapy of any kind is rarely easy. Amidst the times when members can feel hugely supported by the group and grateful for the insights and developments gained, there will, almost inevitably, be tough times too; times when the experiences emerging feel particularly difficult or painful or when it simply seems that little is happening. When things get difficult, often the difficulties may have a familiar feel. This is not surprising because although a therapy group is intended to be supportive, it is also a microcosm of the wider social groups to which everyone ‘belongs’ so sooner of later, some of the difficulties a person experiences outside the group are also likely to be experienced to some degree inside the group. The important difference, however, is that while in the ‘outside’ world, on the whole people don’t get a chance to untangle the experience, think it through and learn from it, but instead just struggle to manage and survive, in the therapy group, the processes of untangling, thinking through and learning from experience is what a lot of the therapeutic work is about.
In order to establish both the group’s capacity to support each member and to work through any difficult experiences that arise, each member’s commitment to the group is of paramount importance; a commitment that is demonstrated by each person’s efforts to be open and honest and to share but also, at its most basic level, to be regular and punctual in attendance. Regular and punctual attendance become, if you like, the bedrock of a secure group. In a culture of such commitment, and in the consistency, reliability and safety it promotes, members are better able to trust the group as a place to which difficult feelings can be brought, expressed, explored and worked through. This enables, over time, each individual to develop and gain greater access to their own psychological resources and the psychological resources of others.
Confidentiality is another important aspect of securing a safe boundary to the group and every member of the group is asked to respect the privacy of every other member and to treat what any individual might say in the group as confidential to the group. Further, group analytic therapy groups are known to work best when they are ‘stranger groups’; that is, when members do not know each other socially or associate with each other outside the group, either face-to-face or by phone or via email and the internet. Sometimes, of course, people do bump into each other outside the group. The important thing is that this is kept to a minimum and that, should it happen, members bring such meetings and interactions to the notice of the group.
Group analytic groups can be anxiety provoking at times, particularly at the start, when everyone is new. These anxieties are often worth exploring in the group as they can offer important opportunities for learning for all. Over time, however, most people find that the lack of restrictions characteristic of a group analytic psychotherapy group provide a freedom that fosters psychological exploration in rich and rewarding ways.
Notice of Absence
If for any reason you are unable to make a meeting, it is important to let the group know as far in advance of your absence as possible. If, for any reason, you are unable to give the group advance notice, please let me know as soon as you can so that I can inform the group.
Missed Sessions
The cost of a missed session is the same as an attended session.
Contract, Frequency, Duration & Size of Group
The difficulties that we, as human beings, experience, often have their source in ways of thinking, relating and behaving that we have built up/learnt over a life-time. Inevitably, then, it can take quite a while to disentangle/unlearn them and to find alternative, more creative and productive ways of going forward. For this reason alone, members are strongly encouraged to think in terms of committing to attending the group for a substantial period and, in the event of leaving the group, are asked to give the group a minimum of 6 sessions notice, but longer if at all possible.
Group Analytic groups meet either once or twice weekly, usually with three breaks during the year (at Easter, over August and at Christmas/New Year). Meetings last for one and a half hours. This Young Persons’ Therapy Group meets once weekly though, at a later date, there may be an opportunity to meet more frequently if that’s what the group wishes.
Group size varies but will not exceed 8 members, excluding the conductor. The group is referred to as a ‘slow open group’. ‘Open’ refers to the fact that the group may change its membership gradually over time with some people leaving and others joining. ‘Slow’ refers to the fact that any such changes should happen slowly, over a period of time. The leaving of established members and the coming of new ones provide opportunities for important ‘learning-from-experience’ for everyone in the group. Over time, the group builds up a complex family history, all of which can contribute to a rich and varied learning experience.
Use of confidential group material by the therapist
All therapists are either required or strongly advised to have regular access to supervision. This is where the therapist works with another professional to think together about the individual and/or group they are working with. In addition to supervision of my own work with you, I am also involved in training other therapists and in research. In these contexts, it can be very helpful for the development of the therapy profession for me to be able to draw upon material from confidential settings such as the group and so I shall be seeking your permission at the outset. However, should you give your permission and should I use any of the material that emerges in the group, I would take every care to respect and protect your privacy and any material used would be appropriately disguised to ensure anonymity.
Although I will be seeking permission from you, prior to you joining the group, to use such material in these very particular contexts and in this very particular (disguised and anonymous) way, you may also raise this issue for further discussion at any time during the course of the group should you wish to do so.
