The leader's tasks are to: - promote a climate of trust and cohesiveness in the group (recognised as an essential therapeutic factor) - encourage the group to focus on the here-and-now - promote interpersonal learning mainly through the process of feedback, both giving and receiving it
The leader is mainly concerned with the process ie with the 'how' and 'why' a patient acts in a particular way, especially in relation to other members; the content, ie what he actually says is less important. So, for example, it is more important that the group examine how and why a member dominates every meeting rather than focus on his verbal utterances. The verbal content, of course, may be highly relevant but tends to remain secondary to the process.
Therapists must realise that they are facilitators - they assemble the group, shape its norms, and promote interaction between its members. They must however remain constantly aware that the members themselves are the most important agents of help and change.
Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.