Why Group Therapy Works and How to Do It: A Guide for Health and Social Care Professionals

This book describes how group treatment offers a unique opportunity for group members to learn and to change as they interact with other group members.

The group structure presents a social microcosm of relationships that people who seek psychotherapeutic treatment find problematic in their private and public lives. In groups, the participants can observe each other, provide feedback to each other, and practice change strategies. In short, group treatment has a powerful healing and supportive function. Based on the authors’ many years of education and experience in academia, the private and public sectors, specific guidance is offered to group leaders on participation, organization, and communication in group treatment. The authors describe the history and characteristics of group treatment, how to organize a treatment group, the roles and responsibilities of the group leader, methods of group treatment, and typical responses of participants. Given its purpose and methodology, this book takes an original perspective on group treatment aimed ultimately at improving healing processes in healthcare and social care.

This book will provide a helpful introduction and guide for a range of professionals who work in primary healthcare, company healthcare, somatic care, psychiatric and social care, and the non-profit sector.

Christer Sandahl is a licensed psychologist, licensed psychotherapist, and professor of Social and Behavioural Science at the Medical Management Centre, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Hjördis Nilsson Ahlin is an occupational therapist, a licensed psychotherapist, a group analyst, and a supervisor of psychiatric groups.

Catharina Asklin-Westerdahl is a licensed clinical psychologist, licensed psychotherapist, group analyst, and team and organizational consultant.

Mats Björling, BSc, is a licensed psychotherapist, group psychotherapist, and supervisor in private practice.

Anna Malmquist Saracino, BSW, is a licensed psychotherapist, group analyst, and psychotherapy supervisor.

Lena Wennlund, BSW, is a licensed psychotherapist, group analyst, and psychotherapy supervisor.

Ulf Åkerström is a licensed psychologist, licensed psychotherapist, and specialist in clinical psychology.

Ann Örhammar is a registered nurse, licensed psychotherapist, group analyst, and psychotherapy supervisor.