In this article I apply the concept of the internal establishment proposed by Hoggett (1998) composed of the positive and destructive narcissistic elements to group therapy. Hoggett’s concept extends the notions of ‘Me-ness’ put forward by Lawrence (Lawrence et.al., 1996) into positive and negative component parts. Clinical examples illustrate the rapidity with which such destructive narcissistic elements appear. This structure likely exists in all groups and this is an initial attempt to distinguish the distinctive dynamics of creative and destructive groups.
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