Abstract
The group analyst occasionally encounters a form of resistance which could be called `hysterical states'. These states are group moments in which there is an avoidance of sexual material which is close to awareness but not actually out in the open. Such moments are characterized by mesmerizing story-telling that turns the whole group, including the analyst, into an audience. Everyone avoids the real function of the group, which is to acknowledge the sexuality and reflect upon it. Through self-monitoring and supervision, the analyst can regain his/her therapeutic stance and, as with other forms of resistance, interpret what is happening. If handled well, the sexual material is brought out for discussion, and there will be a marked increase in vitality among members.
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