11 Therapeutic Factors Instillation of hope
Universality
Imparting information
Altruism
The corrective recapitulation of the primary family group
Development of socializing techniques
Imitative behavior
Interpersonal learning
Group cohesiveness
Catharsis
Existential factors
Installation of hope Group members gain inspiration through contact with individuals who have been in
their place and made it through (ex:testimonials)
Universality Nothing is truly outside the experience of other people
Imparting information Completed through both didactic instruction and direct advice
Altruism Group therapy allows individuals to be of benefit to other people
The corrective recapitulation of the primary family Group members can work through early familial conflicts correctively/clients reenact
early family scripts in the group and, in successful group therapy, experiement with
group new behavior and break free from the rigid family roles into which they had long
been locked
Development of socializing techniques Members can develop more sophisticated social skills
Imitative Behavior The process of members discovering who they are by imitating the counselor and
other group members
Interpersonal learning Includes three concepts:
1. the importance of interpersonal relationships
2. the corrective emotional experience
3. the group as a social microcosm
Group cohesiveness Is the group therapy analogue to relationship in individual therapy/ the result of all
the forces acting on all members such that they remain in the group or simply the
attractiveness of a group for its members
Catharsis is necessary but in itself not sufficient; need catharsis plus some form of cognitive
learning (the ability to reflect on one's emotional experience is an essential
component of the change process) Valued later in group development
Existential factors
The importance of interpersonal relationships W/out deep, positive, reciprocal interpersonal bonds, neither individual nor species
survival would have been possible NO ONE TRANSCENDS THE NEED FOR
(interpersonal learning) HUMAN CONTACT
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, Yalom | The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy | Practice Questions & Verified Answers
Conditions for corrective emotional experience 1. the members must experience the group as sufficiently safe and supportive 2.
there must be sufficient engagement and honest feedback to permit effective reality
(interpersonal learning) testing
Types of critical incidents for corrective emotional 1. Expression of negative affect- the client has always dreaded the expression of
anger. Yet not catastrophe ensued. Ex: Sudden expression of strong dislike or
experiences (interpersonal learning) anger toward another member
2. Expression of strong positive affect (unusual)- the feared catastrophe did not
occur- derision, rejection, engulfment, the destruction of others. Ex: Ex: schizoid
client runs after a member who had bolted from the room; schizoid client learned
that he could care for and help someone else
3. A strong expression of emotion, which is interpersonally directed and constitutes
a risk taken by the client. Needs a group that is supportive. Ex: self-disclosure that
plunged them to explore the group in a deeper way
The group as a social microcosm (interpersonal Will occur when a freely interactive group, with few structural restrictions, is
established
learning) -the more spontaneous interaction there is, the more rapid and authentic will be the
development of the social microcosm
Empathic capacity (interpersonal learning) Is a key component of emotional intelligence and facilitates transfer of learning from
the therapy group to the client's larger world
What is a critical element in a successful group? Empathy
(interpersonal learning)
Consensual validation (interpersonal leanring) The confirmation of reality by comparison of one's own perceptions and concerns
with those of others, including the recognition and modification of distortions.
What is the best interpersonal information about the The therapist's own reactions
client's impact on others? (interpersonal learning)
What is the most important relationship for clients to Transference
work through? (interpersonal learning)
What is insight? (interpersonal learning) When one discovers something important about oneself
4 Levels of Insight (interpersonal learning) 1. Learn how they are seen by other people.
2. May gain some understanding into their more complex interactional patterns of
behavior (Ex: exploits others, competes relentlessly, pleads for love)
3. Motivational insight- clients learn why they do what they do to and with other
people
4. Genetic insight- attempts to help clients understand how they got to be the way
they are
What is essential for the group to encompass the Early cohesion and engagement
more challenging work that comes later?
What is the precondition for other therapeutic factors Group cohesion
to functional optimally?
What is the positive, self-reinforcing loop of therapy Trust, self-disclosure, empathy, acceptance and trust
groups? (group cohesion)
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