Group therapy with Vietnam veterans: A brief review

Abstract

This paper reviews the benefits and general considerations regarding group therapy with Vietnam veterans. A review of veteran rap groups and traditional therapy groups highlights the similarities and differences between types of groups used to treat this population. The importance of countertransference reactions and the need to consider a variety of treatment approaches is emphasized.

The future of group therapy.

“…Many of these abbreviated interventions will be homogeneously composed, symptom-oriented groups. Indeed, the literature is already witnessing a broad spectrum of such groups designed to help patients with such diverse conditions as anxiety disorders (Galloucis & Kaufman, 1988), bereavement (Lieberman, 1990), bulimia (Oesterheld, McHenna & Gould, 1987), depression (Lewinsohn & Clarke, 1984), and schizophrenia (Kanas, 1991) and to enhance the coping skills of such nonpatient groups as women (Huston, 1986), the elderly (Leszcz, 1990), individuals in midlife career change (Zimpfer & Carr, 1989), visually impaired people (Johnson, 1989), and family caregivers (Toseland & Rossiter, 1989). Many of these short-term models are the direct consequence of evaluative studies that have created "treatment manuals" to operationalize the process of group interventions ( e.g ., Lewinsohn & Clarke, 1984; Mandell et al, 1989).…”

Like a Blanket Over a Fire: Group Work and Spiritual Repair in Military Trauma

“…If established, this sense of belonging created a safe environment for the sharing of one’s stories. Like all such groups, it is comforting, and liberating, to understand that one is not alone (Beehler, Clark, & Eisen, 2014; Blair, 1943; Dreikurs, 1959; Gakkoucis & Kaufman, 1988; Paster, 1945; Walker & Nash, 1981). In those cases where specific content and powerful feelings had been repressed, the outpouring of emotion produced a sense of catharsis (Ackerman, 1946; Egendorf, 1975; Frick & Bogart, 1982; Schwartz, 1945; Sherman, 1943).…”

“…In those cases where specific content and powerful feelings had been repressed, the outpouring of emotion produced a sense of catharsis (Ackerman, 1946; Egendorf, 1975; Frick & Bogart, 1982; Schwartz, 1945; Sherman, 1943). Another important early, and now well-recognized, finding is that the group setting could become a place veterans would process feelings of guilt, in particular survivor’s guilt (Brende, 1981; Egendorf, 1975; Friend & Sullivan, 1947; Gakkoucis & Kaufman, 1988; Keenan et al, 2014; Paster, 1945; Scurfield, Corker, Gongla, & Hough, 1984; Shatan, 1973).…”

“…In time, they became known as rap groups (Brende, 1981; Egendorf, 1975; Gakkoucis & Kaufman, 1988; Scurfield et al, 1984; Shatan, 1973; Walker, 1983). In describing the unique nature of rap groups, Gakkoucis and Kaufman (1988) suggest, “These groups provided a veteran with a setting in which he or she could talk about Vietnam and establish a support network. Although there was an important therapeutic element, the emphasis was on communality and shared commitment” (p. 93).…”

Process and content in a long-term PTSD therapy group for Vietnam veterans

“…Early approaches utilized a supportive model where Vietnam veterans ventilated their feelings and discussed social and political injustices related to the war. These "rap" groups usually were led by peer counselors, and they allowed the veterans to gain new meaning and refashion values related to their war experience and to their subsequent reentry into society (Brende, 1981;Egendorf, 1975;Galloucis & Kaufman, 1988;Parson, 1984;Smith, 1985;Walker, 1983). Over time, more traditional forms of group therapy came into use for these patients.…”