Group

Process
 Part 1
Introduction, History and Other Trends
of Group Development
Group Psychotherapy- is an effective individual
therapy in treating a range of psychological
problems. Piper and Ogrodniczuk (2004) claim that
brief group therapy is the treatment of choice for
certain types of problems, such as complicated
grief, trauma reactions, adjustment problem and
existential concerns.
Piper and ogroniczuk identify
efficacy, applicability and cost
efficiency as the main benefits of
group therapy, and they state: “Given
that group therapy is as efficacious as
individual therapy and requires less
therapist time, it appears to be the
more cost-effective treatment.” (1)
Group Process
Consists of all the elements basic to the unfolding
of a group from the time it begins to its
termination. This includes dynamics such as the
norms that govern a group, the level of cohesion
in the group, how trust is generated, how
resistance is manifested, how conflict emerges
and is dealt with, forces that bring about healing,
inter-member reactions and the various stages in
a group’s development. In essence, “group
process relates to how things are happening in
the group.” (2)
• A group is a collection of two or more
individuals, who meet in face-to-face
interaction, interdependently, with the
awareness that each belongs to the group and
for the purpose of achieving mutually agreed-
on goals. (3)
The concept group work encompasses
all types of activities performed by
organized groups - for example,
task/work, psychoeducation,
psychotherapy, and counseling.
The Association for Specialists in Work Group
(ASWG) defines group work as “ a broad
professional practice involving the
application of knowledge and skill in
group facilitation to assist an
interdependent collection of people to
reach their mutual goals, which may be
intrapersonal, interpersonal, or work
related.
• The goals of the group may include the
accomplishment of tasks related to work,
education, personal development, personal
and interpersonal problem solving, or
remediation of mental and emotional
disorders.” (4)
Techniques-
-are leader interventions aimed at facilitating
movement within a group. The term
technique refers to a leader’s explicit and
directive request for the purpose of focusing
on material, augmenting or exaggerating
affect, practicing behavior, or solidifying
insight. Techniques are the tools and
interventions used to facilitate what is going
on in a group. (5)
 Historical Timeline of Group Process
Before 1900:
• Groups are formed for functional and pragmatic reason
• Primary emphasis is to give information, instruction and/or
correct behaviors
• Group movement developed due to the need for social reform
and education
• Immigrants and the poor special attention. Hull House (Jane
Adams in Chicago_ - focuses on promoting reciprocal
relationships and increasing “individual self determination and
self-respect”.
• Social workers and physicians use group structure to increase
awareness of self
• Overall the development of groups in the 1800s is a dynamic
movement which includes contributions from psychology,
sociology, philosophy and education.
1900-1909:
• Joseph Hersey Pratt – organizes the first formal
group experience that was not principally psycho-
education or task/work oriented. His work with
groups of tuberculosis patients leads him to write
about the dynamics that occur within group
settings. He recognizes the positive influence of
group members on one another – the therapeutic
power of groups.
• Jesse B. Davis and Frank Parsons (founder of
modern-day counseling) start establishing
vocational/moral guidance groups.
1910-1919
• World War I: Psychological group tests (e.g. Alpha and
Beta intelligence Tests) are developed and administered
• Groups are used in a limited way to treat combat
fatigued soldiers.
• Europe: J.L Moreno – publishes a philosophical paper
on group methods under
the name J.M. Levy. His
writings stress the
psychoanalytic and social
psychological perspectives
of individuals working together.
 1920-1929
• Alfred Adler initiates a
systematic form of group
guidance and counseling known as collective
counseling. He employs his group techniques with
prison and child guidance populations, and most
importantly, with families.
• J.L. Moreno – Helps promote the growth of group
work by employing theatrical techniques with
people who are in mental turmoil. This first step of
psychodrama he calls theater of spontaniety.
1930-1939 (Noted in group work history for 5 major events)
• Increase in group guidance and psycho-educational publications
and practices, e.g. guidance hour in schools
• J.L. Moreno continues to write and
make creative presentations. He devises
one of the earliest forms
of group treatment: psychodrama.
He introduces the terms group therapy
and group psychotherapy.
• Increase in the number and the quality
of field work studies by sociologists
such as Muzafer Sherif, Theodore
Newcomb, and W.E. Whyte.
• The founding of the first major self
help group in America, Alcoholics Anonymous.
• Movement of psychoanalytical treatment into the group
domain
1940-1949

Often seen as the beginning of modern

group work. Two major directions in
the development of groups.
•Theoretical writings and practices of Kurt
Lewin and Wilfred Bion
•Establishment of group organizations
1940-1945: Kurt Lewin – recognized as the most
influential founder and promoter of group dynamics
Field theory- Lewin’s approach emphasizes the
interaction between individuals and their
environments, and based on ideas of Gestalt in
which there is interdependence part/whole
relationships.
Lewin, “The practical theorist,” establishes a
workshop that leads to the formation of the
National Training laboratories (NTL) and the Basic
Skills training Group (BST) which evolves into the
training group (T-Group) movement.
Other major contribution of Lewin inclues:
• The discovery that group
discussions are superior to
individual instruction in
changing people’s ideas and
behavior, his emphasis on
here-and-now orientation, changes in group behavior
depend on an unfreezing
and freezing process of
human behavior. He also
initiates the application of
the concept of feedback to
group work.
Wilfred Bion – He focuses on group
cohesiveness and forces that foster the
progression
or regression of the group
• Two major group organizations and
publications are founded:
– American Society of Group Psychotherapist and
psychodrama (ASGPP) – establish by J.L. Moreno
during the 1940s.
– American Group Psychotherapy Association
(AGPA) – a psychoanalytically orienteorganization
is established by Samuel R. Slavson in 1943.
 1950-1959
• Characterized by a greater
refinement in all aspects
of group work.
• Group procedures begin to be
• applied to the practice of Family counseling.
• Rudolph Dreikurs – begins to work with parent groups.
• John Bell Begins, as early as 1951, Family therapy sessions
• Nathan Acherman, Gregory Bateson, Virginia Satir – their
independent but similar focus
is in modifying the
psychoanalytic model of group
therapy and they develop
techniques for treating
dysfunctions in families.
 1958: Counseling and learning through small-Group
Discussion – First textbook in group work by Helen I.
Driver.
 Group Guidance is replaced by Group Counseling in
the late 1950s as a major way to bring about
behavioral changes, especially in educational
settings.
 Group psychotherapy increases in popularity, as
tranquilizing drugs make working with groups in
mental health settings viable.
 W. Edwards Demmings – Japanese work/task group
master, directs the implementation of new types of
groups called “quality group,” which later influences
American industry in the 1980s.
 1960- 1969
• 1968: Group practice becomes so popular that the New
York Times designates this year as “the year of the
group”; many forms of group work are invented and/or
refined.
• Two types of most popular groups:
 Encounter group - Carl Rogers coins the term basic
encounter group
• Often known as personal growth groups
• Sometimes referred to as sensitivity groups, a term that
focuses on individuals’ awareness of their own
emotional experiences and the behaviors of others.
• Emphasis is placed on the awareness of and exploration
of intrapsychic and interpersonal issues.
 Marathon group – George Bach and Fred Stoller devise
marathon group in 1956 as a way
of helping people become more authentic
with themselves. Held for extended
periods (24-48) and members are
required to stay together.
• Popular theorist practitioners
of this decade who take
humanistic-existential
orientation: Fritz Perls,
Eric Berne, William Schutz,
Jack Gibb, George Bach,
Carl Rogers.
 1970-1979
• Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW) is
formed in 1973 as a divisional affiliate within the
American Counseling Association.
Active throughout the decade in promoting
responsible group leadership and setting
up standards under which group
leaders should operate.
• Group Research comes into
prominence during this era.
 Irvin Yalom and George Gazda (1970)
• Analyze group methods
and processes and describe
11 “curative (therapeutic)
factors” within groups
that contribute to the
betterment of individuals.
• Yalom and lieberman find that leadership style in
groups greatly influences how individuals fare in
such settings
• Gazda is largely responsible for collecting primary
accounts of how different, group workers
conceptualize and
practice their
approaches and
later develops a
rationale for develop
mental group
counseling in the 1980s.
• The popularity of group work
for the masses increases, as 1980-1989
Does the continued professionalism of group movement itself
• The American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA)
publishes a collection of articles edited by James Durkin
(1981) that examines how general systems theory could be
utilized in groups
• Self-help group mushroom.
• Psycho-educational groups also receive attention during
this decade.
• George Gazda, First president of AGPA, proposes the use of
developmental group counseling with multiple populations
for teaching basic life skills.
• By the end of 1980s, group work is recognized as a viable
means of helping individuals in a variety of settings. More
than ever, more types of groups are available.
 1990- to present
• Group work continues to flourish
• The AGPA celebrates its 50th anniversary in 1992
• A number of new books is published, as well as a
plethora or scholarly articles
• Group work becomes increasingly utilized in
school setting
• In 1990, ASGW approves and publishes
professional standards for the training of group
workers.
• The 1990s are filled with variety of self-help
groups and support groups.
 1990- to present

• Parenting groups become more popular, the

number of cooperative learning groups
increases, and focus groups provide important
information from businesses and politicians
• Quality group are set up among workers to
promote teamwork, increase morale and
efficiency, and ensure that more attention is
paid to how task are completed.
 Current trends in group works
• In the early years of the 21st century, groups
continue to be popular in multiple settings.
Counselor coaches, teachers, politicians, and
corporate researchers have more than ever
before made group work part of their personal
and professional lives.
Paul Solotarrofs group…….” Small groups are now
accepted as a method of providing support. As
well as promoting change, effective decision
making, problem solving, team building and
social skill building.”
Other trends affecting group work are in:
1. Training/Education
• Stockton. Morran, and Nitza developed a conceptual
map for leaders to follow…. Processing… which can be
conceptualized as four interrelated steps:
 Identifying critical incidents of importance to group
members,,
 Examining the event and member reactions,
 Deriving meaning and self-understanding from the
event. And
 Applying new understanding toward personal change.
• Romano and Sullivan developed the simulated group
counseling model
 2. Technology and group work
• The use of technology worldwide “ranges from a
minimal encounter constituting information
exchange or referral to resources, to more
interactive exchanges constituting and
dissemination of information, provision of
support and offering of electronic counseling.”
• Internet websites emerge for group associations
• Group use of computers especially for helping
group members stay in contact with one another
and exchange information.
3. Research
• Group work is an effective method for
providing services to others
• Qualitative as well as quantitative approach
holds promise for exploring dynamics within
groups.
Brief solution-focused ways of delivering group services
• An integrated group counseling approach
using the principles of brief dynamics and
solution-focused therapy pioneers in a
university counseling setting with good results
reported.
• A brief and solution-focused approach in
group work adds new vitality to working with
groups of all kinds because of their specifity
THE END OF PART ONE

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