Group Therapy Graduate Seminar: A Developmental Perspective

Int J Group Psychother. 2015 Jul;65(3):431-44. doi: 10.1521/ijgp.2015.65.3.431.

Abstract

Teaching group therapy is an essential aspect of graduate studies within the helping professions. Existing models discuss four basic elements required for such training: experience, observation, supervised practice, and theory. The present paper offers a model for a group therapy seminar based on these four elements and organized along developmental concepts. Clinical observations of 120 psychology students who participated in the seminar were gathered over a five-year period. Teaching techniques included supervised observation, fish-bowl, one-way mirror, and a final paper integrating theory and practice. The seminar enabled students to practice and to theorize about group processes, both as participants and as co-leaders. Seminar outcomes and conclusions are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Curriculum*
  • Education, Graduate / methods*
  • Human Development*
  • Humans
  • Psychotherapy, Group / education*
  • Young Adult