ABSTRACT

Group work often presents the therapist with many situations, considerations, and, ultimately, decisions that are unique to the practice of group psychotherapy. Until now, there has been little guidance available to either the inexperienced therapist or seasoned clinician in the existing literature that addresses these complex situations.
"Complex Dilemmas in Group Therapy "is a collection of the work of over 25 experienced and respected group therapists, and is edited by two leading thinkers and practitioners in the field. The book owes a debt of inspiration to a regular article appearing in "The Group Circle, ""Consultation, Please, " in which a letter from a practicing group therapist is followed by the responses of two practitioners, each offering a 'solution' to the situation described. "Complex Dilemmas "will expand upon this well-received formula, grouping situations together into themes, examining underlying theory and discussing how ideas about the particular topic have changed over time.
The book will be divided into seven sections, each covering a specific theme such as boundaries, enactments, projective identification, powerful therapist reactions, destructive forces in group, difficult patients, and time-limited groups. Each section will present three complex dilemmas, each of which will be followed by a response from two different clinicians. The dilemmas presented will range from common issues confronted to a more atypical dilemma, to an extreme example of a dilemma, appealing to group therapists of varying expertise.

part |2 pages

Section I

chapter |10 pages

Creating the Group Envelope

chapter |8 pages

Sizing Up the Group

chapter |8 pages

Show Me the Money

chapter |10 pages

All for One and One for Some?

part |2 pages

Section II

chapter |10 pages

Treating Difficult Patients in Groups

chapter |6 pages

Angry Angela and Controlling Connie

chapter |8 pages

All About Adam

chapter |8 pages

Getting Our Affairs in Order

part |2 pages

Section III

chapter |10 pages

Axis II Had Me Spinning

chapter |8 pages

Will the Real Expert Please Stand Up?

chapter |8 pages

Serial Scapegoating

part |2 pages

Section IV

chapter |12 pages

Destructive Forces in Group Therapy

chapter |8 pages

Cuckoo Interrupted

chapter |8 pages

Does Anyone Want Group?

chapter |10 pages

A Sinking Depression

part |2 pages

Section V

chapter |10 pages

Legally Incompetent?

chapter |8 pages

Fear and Loathing

chapter |8 pages

Tolerating the Intolerable

part |2 pages

Section VI

chapter |10 pages

How Far Should I Go?

chapter |8 pages

Breaking Up the Family or the Fantasy?

part |2 pages

Section VII

chapter |12 pages

Working with the Clock Ticking

chapter |6 pages

Stand by Your Stance

chapter |8 pages

Manage My Stress

chapter |8 pages

Containing Contagion