Using group therapy to foster the psychosexual development of patients with eating disorders

When eating-disordered patients participate in long-term eating-dis-order groups, they move through phases of group development that parallel phases of psychosexual development. In the trust (oral) phase, members have an opportunity to experience a positive symbiosis, a suitable holding environment, and optimal frustration. In the control (anal) phase, members learn to identify and express anger constructively. In the intimacy (oedipal) phase, members learn to compete and be intimate. Individual and group movement is facilitated by the group leader being able to identify stages of group development and being able to utilize phase-related techniques.Many thanks to Anne Alonso, Ph.D., Robert Dies, Ph.D., and Geraldine Alpert, Ph.D., for their critiques of the first draft of this paper.