Types of Group Therapy Approaches
Types of Group Therapy Approaches
Psychoeducational Groups
Purpose: Education and Skill Development
• The goal is to provide members with targeted education on a variety of psychological issues or informational
deficits/needs. These groups focus on increasing knowledge and improving coping skills.
It focuses on developing members’ cognitive, affective, and behavioral skills through a structured set of procedures
within and across group meetings.
Characteristics:
Structured Curriculum: Sessions are typically organized around a structured curriculum that covers specific
topics or skills.
Educational Focus: Emphasizes learning and understanding, often using lectures, handouts, and structured
activities.
Examples:
Stress Management Workshops: Teaching techniques to manage stress effectively.
Health Education Groups: Providing information on topics like substance abuse prevention or handling side
effects of medication.
Assertiveness Training Groups: Teaching and practicing assertive communication skills.
Anger Management Groups: Providing strategies and techniques for managing anger effectively.
Corey’s Emphasis:
Ensuring that the content is relevant and engaging, and that participants have opportunities to practice new skills.
Types of Group Therapy Approaches
Counseling Groups
Purpose: Personal Growth and Support
To provide emotional support and facilitate personal growth. These groups focus on helping members explore
their feelings, behaviors, and relationships.
It focuses on interpersonal process and problem-solving strategies that stress conscious thoughts, feelings, and
behavior.
Career, education, personal, social, and developmental concerns are frequently addressed.
Helps participants resolve the usual, yet often difficult, problems of living.
Characteristics:
Interpersonal Process: Emphasizes the interpersonal dynamics within the group and how these affect individual
members.
Facilitated Discussions: Group leaders facilitate discussions that help members gain insights into their issues and
develop coping strategies.
Examples:
Grief Support Groups: Helping members process and cope with the loss of a loved one.
Life Skills Groups: Addressing issues such as self-esteem or relationship skills.
Parenting Support Groups: Offering support and advice for parents dealing with common parenting issues.
Addiction Recovery Groups: Providing support for individuals in recovery from substance abuse.
Corey’s Emphasis:
Types of Group Therapy Approaches
Therapy Groups
Purpose: Deep Therapeutic Work
Address more intense psychological issues and promote deep emotional healing. These groups often focus on
exploring and resolving significant psychological or emotional problems. (depression, PTSD)
It helps individual group members remediate psychological problems and interpersonal problems of living.
Group members often have acute or chronic mental or emotional problems that evidence marked distress, impairment
in functioning, or both.
Aids individual in reconstructing major personality dimensions.
Characteristics:
Depth of Exploration: Involves deeper exploration of personal issues, often related to past experiences, trauma, or
long-standing patterns.
Therapeutic Techniques: Uses various therapeutic techniques, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, or
experiential approaches.
Examples:
Trauma Recovery Groups: Helping individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences.
Existential Groups: Exploring existential issues such as meaning, freedom, and responsibility.
Corey’s Emphasis:
Creating a safe and trusting environment for in-depth therapeutic work, and employing techniques suited to the
Types of Group Therapy Approaches
Brief Group Therapy
Purpose
• Primary Goal: To address and work through psychological or behavioral issues within a short timeframe.
• Focus: Personal growth, skill development, and therapeutic intervention for specific issues.
Characteristics
• Therapeutic Focus: Aimed at addressing psychological issues and fostering personal change. Involves activities
that help participants explore emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
• Structured Sessions: Sessions are structured around therapeutic goals rather than task completion.
• Time-Limited: Has a defined number of sessions but focuses on achieving therapeutic progress.
• Group Dynamics: Involves group interactions which can provide diverse perspectives, shared experiences, and
peer support.
Process and Activities
• Activities: Include discussions, role-plays, skill-building exercises, and therapeutic interventions.
• Interaction: Emphasis is on mutual support and sharing experiences related to personal issues, with a focus on
individual and group dynamics. Clients are expected to engage actively, both during sessions and in applying the
strategies or skills discussed in their daily lives.
Example:
• A group of individuals attending an 8-session therapy program to address and reduce public speaking anxiety. The
success of the group is measured by the participants' improvement in handling anxiety and their increased
Types of Group Therapy Approaches
Tasks Groups
• Primary Goal: To accomplish a specific, often practical task or set of tasks. This can range from completing
a project to solving a particular problem.
• Focus: Practical outcomes and project completion.
Characteristics:
• Goal-Oriented: Focused on achieving a specific outcome or completing a tangible project.
• Structured Process: Typically involves a clear plan with defined steps and roles.
• Active Participation: Members work actively on tasks with responsibilities and collaboration
• Time-Limited: Often bound by a set schedule for completing the task.
Process and Interaction:
• Activities: Include planning, delegating, executing, and reviewing tasks related to the group’s project or
objective.
• Interaction: Collaboration is key, with members working together to achieve a common goal.
Example:
• A group of Peer facilitators working together to plan, design and implement a group facilitators program.
Summary
Gerald Corey’s framework for group process therapy
encompasses a variety of approaches, each designed to meet
different therapeutic needs and goals. By understanding the
characteristics and purposes of different types of groups,
facilitators can select and implement the most appropriate
approach to address the specific needs of their group. Whether
focusing on education, personal growth, deep therapeutic work,
peer support, group dynamics, or skill acquisition, for creating
effective and impactful group interventions.
Choosing members for a therapeutic group involves careful
consideration to ensure a productive and supportive environment.
Here are some key steps by Irvin Yalom:
Define Group Goals: Clarify the purpose of the group (e.g., support, skill-building,
trauma processing) to guide member selection.
Assess Compatibility: Look for individuals whose issues, goals, and readiness for
therapy align. This can foster a sense of understanding and support.
Consider Diversity: Aim for a mix of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to
enrich discussions while ensuring a safe space for sharing.
Evaluate Readiness: Assess each potential member’s readiness to participate.
Consider their emotional stability, willingness to engage, and commitment to the
group process. (check the cognitive state/affect)
Screen for Conflicts: Be mindful of any potential conflicts among members,
especially if past relationships exist. Avoid pairing individuals who may disrupt the
group dynamic.
Facilitate Introductory Meetings: Conduct initial meetings to gauge interactions
and group chemistry. This can help identify potential issues early.
Establish Ground Rules: Ensure all members agree to confidentiality, respect, and
commitment to the group’s goals. This sets a foundation for trust.
Ongoing Evaluation: Remain open to adjusting membership if dynamics shift or if a
member is not benefiting from the process.
Qualifications of a professional counselor
Educational Background: A group process counselor typically has a solid
educational foundation in counseling, psychology, or a related field. This
often includes a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling, social work,
psychology, or a related discipline.
Professional Training: Specialized training in group counseling or group
dynamics is important. This includes formal coursework and practical
experience in managing and facilitating group interactions.
Licensure and Certification: Depending on the region and professional
regulations, group process counselors often need appropriate licensure or
certification. This can vary but generally includes state licensure as a
counselor or therapist, and possibly certifications in group work.
Experience: Practical experience in group settings is essential. This involves
hands-on experience as a counselor in group therapy settings, which helps
develop the ability to manage and facilitate complex group dynamics.
Ethical and Professional Standards: Adherence to ethical guidelines and
professional standards is critical. This includes maintaining confidentiality,
respecting boundaries, and upholding the integrity of the counseling
profession.
The Group Counselor
Group counselors must acquire skills as:
• As a Person
• As a Professional
• As a diversified-competent counselor
Group Counselor as a Person (relationships)
Skills of a professional counselor: As a Person
Skills of a professional group counselor: As a Person
Skills of a professional group counselor: As a
Person
Skills of a professional group counselor: As a Person
Skills of a professional group counselor: As a Person
Skills of a professional group counselor: As a
Person
As a
Professional
Skills of a group counselor: As a Professional
Skills of a group counselor: As a Professional
Skills of a group counselor: As a Professional
Skills of a group counselor: As a Professional
Skills of a group counselor: As a Professional
Skills of a group counselor: As a Professional
Skills of a group counselor: As a Professional
Skills of a group counselor: As a Professional
Skills of a group counselor: As a Professional
Skills of a group counselor: As a Professional
As a Diversified-Competent Group
Counselor
Skills of a Diversified-Competent Group Counselor
Cultural Sensitivity and Competence:
o Understanding and respecting cultural differences and being able to adapt counseling
approaches to meet the needs of diverse group members.
o Applying culturally relevant interventions and practices to enhance the therapeutic process.
Active Listening:
o Skillfully listening to group members from diverse backgrounds and acknowledging their
unique perspectives and experiences.
o Using active listening to build rapport and understand the nuances of each member’s
situation.
Empathy Across Cultures:
o Demonstrating empathy and understanding that is sensitive to the cultural contexts of group
members.
o Recognizing and valuing different expressions of emotion and experience.
Skills of a Diversified-Competent Group Counselor
Facilitation Skills:
o Effectively managing group interactions, including handling the dynamics that arise from
diverse cultural backgrounds.
o Balancing various viewpoints and ensuring that all members feel heard and valued.
Conflict Resolution:
o Addressing and resolving conflicts that may arise from cultural misunderstandings or
differences in perspectives.
o Using culturally appropriate conflict resolution strategies to mediate disputes and maintain
group cohesion.
Feedback and Encouragement:
o Providing feedback in a manner that is sensitive to the cultural contexts of group members.
o Offering encouragement and support that respects individual differences and fosters a
positive group environment.
Skills of a Diversified-Competent Group Counselor
Self-Awareness and Reflection:
o Being aware of one’s own cultural biases and how they might affect interactions with
group members.
o Engaging in self-reflection and seeking supervision to address any biases and improve
cultural competence.
Group Dynamics Management:
o Understanding and managing the complex dynamics that can emerge in culturally
diverse groups.
o Being adept at recognizing and addressing issues related to power, privilege, and group
roles.
Adaptability:
o Being flexible and adaptable in therapeutic approaches to meet the evolving needs of a
diverse group.
o Modifying techniques and interventions to fit the cultural and individual needs of
group members.
Skills of a Diversified-Competent Group Counselor
Ethical and Inclusive Practice:
o Adhering to ethical guidelines while being inclusive and respectful of all group
members.
o Ensuring that group practices are fair and equitable, taking into account the diverse
backgrounds of participants.
Goal Setting and Achievement:
o Collaborating with group members to set realistic and culturally relevant goals.
o Assisting members in achieving these goals while being mindful of cultural contexts
and individual differences.
Educational and Advocacy Skills:
o Educating group members about cultural differences and promoting awareness and
understanding within the group.
o Advocating for the needs and rights of group members, especially those from
marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds.
