A GESTALT THEORY OF GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY
Implications for psychotherapy
Looking at oneself from this relational form of field has significant implications for how we view psychotherapy.
A Gestalt model of groups
We now define a group as any set of people who have a perceived ability to communicate. This is a very broad definition and would include very disparate and sometimes not very interesting groups of people.
Tuckman's model of stages in group development becomes relative to a particular configuration of the group rather than universal.
Gestalt Therapy theory of Self: "una pequeña definición".
1. Organism/environment: it/not-it
There is a physical limit where
something can happen
For a human being, it is sensitive and
records the interaction as experience. This could be an interaction with the sensitive.
2. Self/other: I/not-I
identification of self and
alienation of other
3. Personality boundary: me/not-me
The purposes of personality are autonomy and
continuity.
The tasks of the group therapist in this model
Phenomenological attitude
The first and most important task is to maintain a phenomenological attitude, in order to be able to tolerate what in other situations would be very embarrassing statements.
Questioning group norms
A second task of the therapist has to do with the norms and rules of the group since some are very important. for example those relating to assistance, violence and sexual activity.
the third are those that are specific to a particular group, their personality boundary, so to speak.
The therapist’s presence
The therapist cannot be neutral. Both the therapist's expression and retention will be significant. The therapist remains aware of the growing advantages of all members and of possible obstacles in their therapy.
Membership themes
We manage our existing groups continually, and new members join when there are vacancies and leave when they have done what they need or want to do. Group members receive the name of potential members to check if, They have a previous relationship which could mean it would be better for the person not to join.
People often take a while to talk, but they have been following the process very closely and will have achieved a lot when they decide to join once again, by legislating “You must take an active part,” that potential for choice is reduced. Removed and replaced by a rule. The commitment then becomes compatible coverage and distrust is hidden.
Sexuality
Sexual issues need a lot of support to be explorable. The group rule against sexual relations between group members is very
support for exploration, both by making sexual themes figurative and by providing a limit between therapeutic exploration and intimate relationship.