Group Analysis and the Different Approaches: The Portuguese Contribution. A Tribute to E.L. Cortesão

Abstract

The development of psychoanalysis itself and, in particular, the publication of the so called Freud’s anthropological works led to the appearance and growth of group psychotherapy, namely, of their psychoanalytic approaches. Their general characteristics are described and some of their particular aspects (Slavson, Wolf and Schwartz, Ezriel, Bion) referred. The importance of the contributions of Ego psychology, ORT and self-psychology in this evolution are particularly stressed. The use of philosophical (existential) models, though complemented by psychoanalytical and behavioural contributions (Yalom) are also referred.

The point of view and basic conceptions of group analysis, the most diffused of analytical group psychotherapies in Europe, are particularly described and, in their context, the points of view of Trigant Burrow, Foulkes and Cortesão compared.

Cortesão’s points of view are particularly developed and, among them, the conceptions of group-analytic process (developed in analogy with Bibring similar point of view established in the psychoanalytic setting), group-analytic pattern and matrix, changing levels of experience and interpretation, specific aspects of group-analytical transference, commutative interpretation, aesthetic balance and its importance in the group analytic process. The working through of the group transference neurosis becomes a nuclear step in this approach.

Finally, Foulkes’ and Cortesão’s approaches in group-analysis are compared and the similarities between them underlined, in spite of some apparent contradictions.