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The two general types of group therapies are those led by professionals in order to deliver psychotherapy, and those led by nonprofessionals, whose goal is to solve a problem that the group members have in common. The best-known example of the latter is AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), which is probably the most successful single treatment for alcoholism. AA has spawned a host of similar self-help groups like Narcotics Anonymous and Gamblers' Anonymous. There are also groups for family members of people with mental problems; Al-Anon is a group for the families of alcoholics, and there are similar groups for parents of children with mental problems, autism for example. The groups led by professionals are more likely to be dealing with less specific problems of adjustment, and to contain clients with a variety of problems. A group setting may be best for people with relationship problems because it allows them to work directly on relating to other people. Groups can provide general support for troubled members, in addition to working on specific symptoms and problems. There are nearly as many types of psychotherapeutic groups as there are of self-help groups. The match between the client and the group is probably as important in choosing a psychotherapeutic group as it is in choosing a type of individual psychotherapy. Last updated 12/19/03 |
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