The CARE Project: The Developmental Stages of Group Counselling for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

An account of the process of group counselling for patients with rheumatoid arthritis is given. Two groups met independently, with different counsellors, for one hour per week over six months. It was found that the process of group counselling followed four developmental stages. They were: ice-breaking and climate creation, information exchange, self-disclosure, and enhanced self-concept and self-esteem. These stages are discussed.