TRENDS IN ORTHOPSYCHIATRIC THERAPY: IX. EVOLUTION AND TRENDS IN GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY

This article discusses the trends in orthopsychiatric therapy by specifically focusing on the evolution and trends in group psychotherapy. All kinds of groups are initiated, depending on what phase of individual insecurity is considered the neediest. There is an increase in economic groups, such as labor unions, to provide economic security. Religious groups are formed on the basis that the spiritual life of the individual is void and needs new values for combatting the conscience-less deeds committed both the group and the individual alike. There are interracial groups and international groups-all with the earnest desire to promote better understanding between participants. These groups were all of a repressive-inspirational nature and all have been successful in different degrees in attaining a happier life for their participants. Despite the multiplicity and the variety of groups, there still remained a large number of individuals who, though desiring to be accepted members, could not join a group, or when they did, could not remain in it because of inability to give adequate expression to their needs and feelings. Group therapy in counseling form and nondirective in attitude, has been explored by Rogers and has been the subject of research. In activity groups with delinquent children, especially the very aggressive, any attempt by the worker to interfere with destructive behavior results in more participants being drawn into the fight. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)