ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an example of a 'teaching tale' to illustrate an incident of conflict, which led to interpersonal learning and growth for both primary participants and for other group members. It is useful to educate patients about interpersonal process, to demystify group psychotherapy, and to serve as a model of growth-producing group behavior. It has been successfully used in both 'slow-open' and time-limited groups, with both adults and teenagers. Although the interpersonal learning that can result from psychodynamic psychotherapy groups has been shown by both patients and Therapists as among the most significant benefits they derive from group treatment, many patients present for a group screening without having a clear understanding of how this learning will take place. Such a group therapy may be contraindicated for people without these cognitive abilities. This sort of psycho educational modeling of interpersonal group process can be very useful to help potential group members who have the necessary skills in abstraction and introspection.
