Group Therapy Research Paper
Group Dynamics – RESISTANCE
Group therapy is a recognised means of helping people to develop self-awareness and overcome their problems. Unfortunately, there are a number of factors that can hamper the individual and the group process. Resistance is a major issue that often emerges in group therapy. In this essay the nature of resistance and the reasons for its prevalence will be explored, together with strategies the facilitator can implement to manage this issue within the group process and dynamics. Before this can be achieved it is important to provide an overview of group process.
According to Corey, group process consists of six stages. These are the formation (pre group issues), initial (orientation), transition, working, final …show more content…
My own major struggles are inadequacy and feeling incompetent. These may stem from a negative self-concept. In my experience, feelings of inadequacy within a group context can lead to major resistance, such as fears like, “I am not good enough. If I say that, it will sound stupid”. This problem may also lead into the issue of a group member struggling with self-disclosure. Self-disclosure is a vulnerable process, but is the common thread that steers group interaction and process. An individual’s resistance to self-disclosure makes it a difficult experience for the person involved and other group members. Corey suggests that: “If people are unwilling to share of themselves, they make it very hard for others to care for them” (Corey, 2004: …show more content…
They may develop hostility towards the facilitator or other group members. Transference is another common response of group members. This may be a positive or negative experience. Transference is a projection on other group members or the facilitator of an experience or experiences of a particular member from a significant figure of the past. For example, transference may occur when a group member is projecting onto the facilitator the need and longing for the good or bad parent they never
Group therapy is a recognised means of helping people to develop self-awareness and overcome their problems. Unfortunately, there are a number of factors that can hamper the individual and the group process. Resistance is a major issue that often emerges in group therapy. In this essay the nature of resistance and the reasons for its prevalence will be explored, together with strategies the facilitator can implement to manage this issue within the group process and dynamics. Before this can be achieved it is important to provide an overview of group process.
According to Corey, group process consists of six stages. These are the formation (pre group issues), initial (orientation), transition, working, final …show more content…
My own major struggles are inadequacy and feeling incompetent. These may stem from a negative self-concept. In my experience, feelings of inadequacy within a group context can lead to major resistance, such as fears like, “I am not good enough. If I say that, it will sound stupid”. This problem may also lead into the issue of a group member struggling with self-disclosure. Self-disclosure is a vulnerable process, but is the common thread that steers group interaction and process. An individual’s resistance to self-disclosure makes it a difficult experience for the person involved and other group members. Corey suggests that: “If people are unwilling to share of themselves, they make it very hard for others to care for them” (Corey, 2004: …show more content…
They may develop hostility towards the facilitator or other group members. Transference is another common response of group members. This may be a positive or negative experience. Transference is a projection on other group members or the facilitator of an experience or experiences of a particular member from a significant figure of the past. For example, transference may occur when a group member is projecting onto the facilitator the need and longing for the good or bad parent they never