Some General Considerations in the Supervision of Beginning Group Psychotherapists

A preparatory interview for the neophyte group therapist

“…The common concerns of novice therapists that emerge from our preparatory interviews correspond closely to those identified by other observers (Levin & Kanter, 1964;Williams, 1966;Yalom, 1966). Particularly prominent are the associated fears of failing to act as a competent leader and uncertainty about what constitutes effective leadership.…”

“…Williams (1966) points out that leading a group is especially demanding of the therapist since it exposes him to more direct personal and professional evaluation than most other therapies; his level of anxiety inevitably rises and associated defensive reactions intensify. Levin & Kanter (1964) similarly emphasize that group therapy, involving a radical departure from the more familiar, and therefore perhaps safer, approach of treating one patient at a time, creates particular concerns for the neophyte therapist.…”

“…Inept management of this phase may reinforce the therapist's anxieties and the defensive manoeuvres he adopts to cope with them. A trainee whose fears are realized and who has a disappointing experience leading his first group may drop out of the field altogether and even become hypercritical of group therapy (Levin & Kanter, 1964).…”

Some Aspects of the Group Counseling Practium

“…Other specific considerations of the pre-practicum group are modifications of Levin and Kanter's (1964) approach to working with the beginning group therapist: Candidates review the mechanics of group counseling, role play as counselors and clients, and are encouraged to initiate any topics that may be of concern to them.…”

Group Counseling Instruction: Objectives Established by Experts

“…Several authors (Gazda 1968;Lakin, Lieberman & Whitaker 1972;Williams 1972;Yalom 1970) are in general agreement that some formal preparation and training is needed before becoming a group counselor/ therapist. Some commonly employed training procedures are: (a) didactic teaching (Gazda 1968;Yalom 1970); (b) participant learning, with trainees placed in counseling groups (Bonney & Gazda 1966;Lakin, Lieberman & Whitaker 1972); (c) vicarious exposure to groups through tapes, films, or the observation of live groups (Lakin 1970;Yalom 1970); ( d) role-playing exercises (MacLennan 1971); and (e) apprenticeship learning in which the trainee is a co-therapist or therapist under supervision (Jacobs, Brown &Randolph 1974;Levin &Kanter 1964;Lifton 1966).…”