The Use and Abuse of Structure and Exercise in Ongoing Group Psychotherapy

Abstract

Introducing specific structures and exercises within the ongoing context of the psychotherapy group most directly controls the course of events and affects the members' perceptions of the group and of the leader. Since groups are already full of ongoing issues, themes, and feelings, a successful exercise must highlight existent group processes, rather than bypassing them or creating a novel experential set Proper choice, selection, and timing of exercises enhances their effectiveness and utility, and provides for an integrated group experience. Here we present a five-step model to prepare, work with, process, generalize, and refer back to key structural interventions and exercises in group psychotherapy settings