These two forms of group are the central therapeutic activity of the Group-Analytic Practice. Members of our mixed groups bring a full range of neurotic disorders. Frequent presenting difficulties are depression, bereavement, post traumatic stress disorder, sexual difficulties, histories of sexual abuse, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties and low self esteem. Some have somatic symptoms, others psychosomatic disorder; a few patients with fairly severe character disorders and some borderline patients are successfully absorbed. There may also be space for patients who have recovered from psychotic illness and are managed on medication. The long term nature of the groups allows significant time for the resolution of difficult and tangled issues.
• Groups at the practice are conducted both once-weekly and twice weekly.
• These groups share many properties including effectiveness.
• Twice weekly groups however are recommended for people who are pre pared and need to work in depth and become intensely involved in the dynam ics of the group and its transferential networks.
A twice-weekly group may be compared with individual psychoanalysis or three or four times a week analytic psychotherapy, whereas the once-weekly group is more akin to or once or twice-weekly individual psychotherapy. It is not necessarily the case that the twice-weekly group will produce results more quickly and that therefore be of shorter duration. The results are achieved however are more deep-rooted and firmly based often requiring time to work out complex issues of transference distortion. Twice weekly therapy also provides a greater sense of belonging and feeling of support.
|
|