Observable Processes

While definitions vary considerably, group process generally refers to what happens in the group, particularly in terms of the development and evolution of patterns of relationships between and amongst group participants (Beck & Lewis, 2000; Yalom & Leszcz, 2005). These processes occur at both observable and inferred levels. Observable processes consist of verbal ( e.g speech content; expressed affects) and nonverbal behaviors that have been conceptualize, operationalized and assessed from fine grained to very abstract levels of analysis. Inferred or convert group processes refer to conscious and unconscious intentions, motivations, wishes, and needs enacted by individual participants, dyads, subgroups or group as a whole. These processes can serve adaptive, work oriented, therapeutic ends or defensive, work avoidant or resistive purposes (Hartman & Gibbard, 1974). Elucidation of group process serves a critical function in group itself as a viable and therapeutic social system in which interpersonal interaction occurs and to the individual learning about self in relation to others. These are the mechanism through which therapeutic change occurs.

Group process generally refers to what happens in the group, especially in terms of the development and evolution of patterns of relationships between and among group participants. The therapy group is a social system with the group therapist as its manager, whose primary function is to monitor and safegrard the work-oriented boundaries of the group so that members experience it as a safe container with an internal space in which phychological work can occur.

The therapist needs to be able to distinguish processes that are work-oriented from those that resist, avoid or defend against work. The therapist should appreciate that containing and working through destructive forces (in the group, the context of the group, or in the group leader) holds the possibility for creative growth and therapeutic change.

Cohesion generally refers to the emotional bonds among members for each other and for a shared commitment to the group and its primary task. It is often regarded as the equivalent to the concept of therapeutic alliance in individual psychotherapy and is the group process variable generally linked to positive.

The management of the therapist's counter transference, through the containment of the group projections, is related to positive therapeutic outcome. Self awareness and self care are crucial in counter transference management. Regular consultation with co-therapist or supervisor/consultant can also be very useful.