APPLICATION OF GROUP THERAPY TO LEARNERS
THEORETICAL
KEY POINTS
APPROACH
Rooted in the theories of Sigmund
Freud.
Focuses on exploring the
unconscious mind and its impact on listening, reflection, and sharing
behavior.
Emphasis on resolving unconscious
conflicts.
Helps individuals gain insight into
unconscious thoughts, feelings, and
motivations that influence their
behavior and relationships.
Explores early childhood
PSYCHONALYTIC
experiences and their impact on
APPROACH
present-day functioning.
Facilitates the development of self-
awareness, emotional
regulation, and coping skills.
FOCUS/ BEST PRACTICES
Focus: Provides a safe space to
explore past experiences and their
influence on present life.
Best Practice: Encourage active
personal experiences within the
group boundaries.
WHAT TO DO AS VE TEACHER
Incorporate dream analysis and
free association techniques.
Utilize skilled facilitators with a
strong understanding of
psychoanalytic principles.
Encourage open and non-
judgmental communication.
Foster a safe environment for
participants to explore personal
thoughts.
Maintain a safe and supportive
environment.
Encourage active participation, self- Groups with individuals struggling
reflection, and open
communication.
Respect individual confidentiality
and boundaries.
Focus on interpreting dreams, free
associations, and resistance.
MOST SUITABLE APPLICATION
Beneficial for individuals with long-
standing emotional challenges.
May be suitable for therapy groups
focusing on exploring past trauma.
Useful in addressing deep-seated
psychological issues.
Effective for individuals seeking
insight into subconscious motives.
Individuals seeking in-depth self-
exploration, insight into
unconscious processes, and
resolution of long-standing issues.
with
anxiety, depression, personality
disorders, and relationship
difficulties.
 Encourage discussion of dreams,
fantasies, and free associations.

Based on Alfred Adler's IndividualFocus: Encouragement, belonging, Establish clear goals and encourage Beneficial for groups addressing
Psychology.
Emphasizes the individual's need Best practices: Collaborative
for belonging and significance.
ADLERIAN GROUP
Goal-oriented approach to address
COUNSELING
feelings of inferiority.
Effective in fostering a sense of
community and cooperation.
Developed by Jacob L. Moreno.
Involves role-playing and
spontaneous dramatization.
Aims to explore and resolve
PSYCHODRAMA
interpersonal conflicts.
and personal responsibility.
atmosphere, group discussion,
identifying goals, tasks for self-
improvement.
Focus: Exploring emotions and
relationships through role-playing creativity.
and improvisation.
Best practices: Clear structure,
warm-up activities, role
assignments, safe and supportive
environment.
collaborative problem-solving.
Promote a supportive group
atmosphere.
Implement group activities that
emphasize mutual encouragement. issues of self-esteem and setting
Focus on
encouragement, cooperation, and
problem-solving.
Use positive reinforcement to
build individuals' confidence.
Encourage active participation and Suitable for groups addressing
Facilitate a safe space for
individuals to enact scenarios.
Utilize trained facilitators
experienced in psychodrama
techniques.
Clear boundaries, sensitivity to
individual needs, and focus on
active participation.
social anxiety or feelings of
isolation.
Suitable for workshops focusing on
personal empowerment
Suitable for individuals dealing with
goals
communication breakdowns.
Beneficial for individuals dealing
with relational trauma (PTSD)
Useful in promoting self-
expression and catharsis, and
developing empathy
Effective for groups dealing with
relational challenges (anxiety and
depression included)

Integrate warm-up activities to

build group cohesion.
 Founded by Carl Rogers.
Focuses on creating a supportive Best practices: Active listening,
and empathetic environment.
Emphasizes self-exploration and
personal growth.
PERSON-CENTERED
APPROACH Fosters self-
awareness, acceptance, and growth
through unconditional positive
regard and empathy.
Founded by Fritz Perls.
Emphasizes the present moment
and holistic awareness.
Encourages individuals to take
responsibility for their experiences.
· Helps individuals increase
GESTALT THERAPY awareness of their present
experiences, take responsibility for
their actions, and overcome
resistance to change.
Focus: Unconditional positive Foster active listening and empathy Suitable for groups dealing with
regard, empathy, and genuineness. within the group. identity exploration (to develop self-
acceptance).
Encourage participants to explore Beneficial for individuals
reflection of feelings, creating a and express their emotions. navigating life transitions.
safe space for self-expression
Create a non-judgmental space for Effective for individuals seeking
open sharing. self-awareness and personal
development.
Facilitators should exhibit Suitable for individuals struggling
unconditional positive regard. with social isolation, low self-worth,
or difficulty expressing emotions.
Create a supportive and non-
judgmental
environment, encourage active
listening, and respect individual
differences.
Focus: Present-moment awareness, Utilize experiential exercises to Suitable for groups addressing
personal responsibility, and promote awareness. unresolved past experiences.
integrating unfinished business.
Best practices: Group experiments, Encourage direct and authentic Beneficial for individuals
dialogue exercises, focusing on "I" communication. struggling with self-acceptance.
statements.
Incorporate role-playing and other Effective for addressing issues
experiential activities. related to self-awareness and
personal responsibility.
Focus on the integration of Useful in exploring the impact of
thoughts, feelings, and actions. body language and non-verbal
cues.

Developed by Aaron Beck.
Focuses on changing negative
thought patterns and behaviors.
Goal-oriented and time-limited.
COGNITIVE
BEHAVIORAL
APPROACH
Helps individuals identify and
modify negative thinking patterns
and develop coping skills for
managing difficult emotions and
behaviors.
Developed by Albert Ellis.
RATIONAL-EMOTIVE
BEHAVIOR
Focus: Identifying and challenging
negative thought patterns and
behaviors.
Best practices: Psychoeducation,
cognitive restructuring, behavioral tracking mechanisms.
activation, exposure therapy.
Focus: Challenging irrational beliefs Encourage participants to identify
and developing more rational
thinking patterns.
Focus on "here and now,"
encourage direct
communication, and create a safe
space for experimentation.
Teach and reinforce practical
coping strategies.
Implement goal-setting and
Use cognitive restructuring
techniques to challenge negative
thinking.
Incorporate behavioral
interventions to reinforce positive
changes.
Structured format, clear learning
objectives, and focus on practical
skills development.
and challenge irrational beliefs.
Increasing self-awareness,
managing emotions, improving
communication, resolving conflicts.
Individuals with anxiety,
depression, or difficulty taking
responsibility for their actions.
Beneficial for groups focusing on
skill-building.
Suitable for individuals seeking
short-term, solution-focused
interventions.
Effective for addressing specific
behavioral challenges (managing
anxiety, depression, anger, and
phobias)
Suitable for individuals with
anxiety, depression, or phobias.
Individuals with obsessive-
compulsive disorder, social anxiety
disorder, or panic disorder.
Effective for individuals struggling
with irrational thinking (Managing
anxiety, depression, anger, and self-
defeating behaviors.)
 Focuses on identifying and Best practices: Identifying irrational Implement cognitive restructuring Suitable for groups addressing
challenging irrational beliefs. beliefs, disputing them, practicing exercises. issues of self-esteem and emotional
rational alternatives regulation.

Aims to change negative thought Facilitators should be skilled in Beneficial for groups focusing on
patterns. guiding individuals through rational- emotional resilience.
emotive techniques.
Helps individuals identify and Provide opportunities for group Suitable for individuals dealing with
challenge irrational beliefs that members to support each other in chronic stress or anxiety.
contribute to emotional distress. challenging irrational beliefs.

Collaborative and interactive, focus Individuals with perfectionism,

on logic and disputation, and procrastination, or self-doubt.
encourage active participation

Developed by Steve de Shazer and Focus: Identifying exceptions to Focus on identifying and Beneficial for groups dealing with
Insoo Kim Berg problems and building on strengths reinforcing existing strengths. concrete, immediate issues.
to find solutions.
Goal-oriented and future-focused Best practices: Goal-oriented, Utilize scaling questions to Suitable for individuals seeking
therapeutic approach. future-focused, strength-based measure progress. rapid problem resolution.
approach.
Emphasizes identifying and Facilitators should have strong Effective for individuals seeking
amplifying solutions. solution-focused skills. practical solutions to current
SOLUTION-FOCUSED
challenges.
BRIEF THERAPY
Brief and time-limited Encourage group members to Suitable for groups addressing
collaborate in generating solutions. specific, short-term goals.

Helps individuals focus on solutions Future-oriented, collaborative Addressing a wide range of

and desired outcomes rather than problem-solving, and focus on problems, including communication
dwelling on problems. progress and achievements. difficulties, relationship issues, and
goal setting.
FACILITATION SKILLS TO DEVELOP
Being proficient as a facilitator requires several skills
1. Stay neutral on content
2. Listen actively
3. Ask questions
4. Paraphrase to clarify
5. Synthesize
6. Stay on the track
7. Give and receive feedback
8. Test assumptions
9. Collect ideas
10. Summarize clearly

BEST FACILITATION PRACTICES

1. Probe sensitivity into student’s feeling
2. Create an open and trusting atmosphere
3. Make student the center of attention
4. Treat all students equally
5. Listen intently to all to understand totally what is being said
6. Work hard to stay neutral
7. Ensure that participants feel ownership for what has been achieved
8. End on a positive and optimistic note