Sibling dynamics and group psychotherapy

The role of sibling dynamics in group psychotherapy has received relatively little attention in the literature. Our clinical experience suggests that sibling issues regularly arise in the practice of group psychotherapy. This article provides an integrative view of sibling relationships from a family systems and self psychology orientation to group therapy. Special emphasis is placed on developmental and cultural differences as they affect sibling dynamics and the group leader's role. A number of case examples are offered to illustrate ways to view clinical challenges in a manner consistent with the influence of sibling relationships on group members and group process.     

Religious belief,values, and psychotherapy

Conclusion Conflicts between religious values, personal needs, and the demands of society are inevitable in the lives of all. The healthy person is able to resolve these conflicts, or he learns to live with them. The unhealthy person incorporates them into his neurotic personality. They can become such as to block all progress in therapy. Unless they are handled in some direct fashion, the patient may never attain that inner freedom needed to reorient his distorted values and ideals. In some cases, therefore, the therapist may be forced to take an open approach to religious and moral values, even if this means influencing the patient's values in the direction of the therapist's value system.     

Countertransference in group psychotherapy

This paper attempts to up-date our understanding of countertransference in the therapy group setting. After a brief review of some of the psychoanalytic and the group psychotherapy literature dealing with countertransference, the paper points out the vulnerability of the group therapist and presents examples of possible countertransferential situations, such as stereotyped roles, reactions to external aspects of patients, and therapists' insecurities. It concludes by suggesting ways in which group therapists can become more sensitive to their countertransferences.     

Hostility in group psychotherapy

To run a psychodynamic group therapeutically, the leader must understand the meanings and functions of hostility. Fundamental to this task is the leader's awareness of his or her bias toward hostility as a constructive or destructive feeling and willingness to serve as a lightening rod for it. This paper discusses the sources of hostility during different stages of group development. The therapeutic handling of hostility is discussed under the following topics: theoretical considerations, defensive functions, and communicative functions. Case examples illustrate the proper handling of contractual violations, scapegoating, and narcissistic injury. Countertransference reactions to anger and rage in the group are discussed.