The theory and practice of group psychotherapy

by Irvin Yalom Basic Books, 93s

Professor Yalom's book will be

compulsive reading for all involved in group psychotherapy in this

country. Here in Britain, in contrast with the United States, group psychotherapists are relatively rare birds with little opportunity for

mutual exchange, so this book, with its valuable information and comment, will be greatly welcomed.

There are challenges too in the

constant emphasis on the need for follow-up and research into all

aspects of the field to avoid the

danger of group psycotherapy becoming merely a fashionable

mystique. Professor Yalom acknowledges

many varieties of group therapy and describes the proliferation of 'en-

counter' and 'sensitivity' groups in the United States, as well as the

importance of T-Groups, but is

principally concerned with inter-

actional group psychotherapy with its goal of characterologic change.

He begins with the research into the curative factors involved in

Group therapy. On the basis of the findings of this research, he sees the role of the group psychothera- pist as the facilitator of inter-

Personal exchange at a 'feeling level', this being the factor that both therapists and patients found the

most curative and crucial during treatment. The security necessary for this free exchange on a feeling level, via group cohesion, also

ranks high in this curative hierarchy. The here-and-now process is the

essential work of interactional

9roups and Professor Yalom des- cribes the characteristics of such

Qroups at differing stages of their development. He outlines the

factors that prevent early fall-out, which can be damaging for both

Patient and group, and indicates that pre-group preparation and

careful patient selection may reduce fall-out to a minimum.

This book illustrates how a group is a learning medium, with a skilled therapist offering a model for the

corrective experience. The rewards necessary for all successful learn- ing experience include the release from tension relating to the better

understanding of self, of others and the reality situation.

Professor Yalom indicates that a

force for a corrective learning ex- perience can have equal potential for maladaptive learning in the

hands of an untrained therapist with blind spots and so concludes that the training of group therapists is essential. His descriptions of

such training are likely to make us envious in this country, the use

of video-tapes being somewhat

remote, but nevertheless a great deal can be done with less sophis- ticated methods if we get the

message. The many and varied references

offered throughout this book are

beautifully listed and considerably enlarge the total view so that many who have hitherto been unaware of

this field of therapeutic help should have much food for thought.

Barbara Dick