ABSTRACT
I am a great believer in group therapy but am aware that it can mistakenly be viewed as a kind of second-class therapy that ‘does not go as deep’ as individual therapy. If we subscribe to this view it follows that the therapeutic process is based on a separate, individualized view of self where others dilute psychological space rather than add to it. As a gestalt philosophy sees self as ‘an on-going assimilation of experience’ (Philippson, 2009: 78), well facilitated group therapy can offer a wider range of experience for self-growth. The intersubjective opportunities multiply the possible areas in which such growth can take place. For this reason, and those listed below, I believe that gestalt group therapy is indicated for many clients and trainee therapists – possibly after engaging in individual therapy.
