Reactivation of the family environment in the therapeutic group

Journal/Book: Gruppenpsychother Gruppendyn. 1996; 32: Theaterstrasse 13, Postfach 77, W-37070 Gottingen, Germany. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. 274-285.

Abstract: ln group psychotherapy, there is a more favourable opportunity to confront the patients with their early and their later family environment than in the individual psychotherapeutic treatment. According to the experiences in a therapeutic group of adolescent girls with adjustment disorders caused by a disturbed childhood environment, there is an occasion ro develop a father and mother or parents transference, especially when the group is lead by a male in company with a female therapist. The co-patients are frequently experienced as siblings with whom, on one hand, positive experiences, but, on the other hand, also rivalry conflicts are linked. Although in family therapy there is a possibility to recognize imbalances within the family directly and to interfere on a systemic basis, the patients normally feel freer in a therapeutic group than they do within a setting where family members are also present. Therefore, group psychotherapy with schizophrenic patients is lead separately from the relatives' group. The patients and their relatives are grateful that they are treated in a separate setting. They, therefore, can speak freer and both of them get greater therapeutic attention than it would be the case if the whole family were present. In the group milieu the problems of the family can be worked through in a way that the patients either receive a positive support in the group, which is directly experienced as family or as family replacement especially by patients who are seriously ill, and/or they may there find their ways to an increased independence.

Note: Article R Battegay, Univ Basel, Kantonsspital, Psychiat Poliklin, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland

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