ABSTRACT
The group contract in a long-term psychodynamic therapy group is an explicit agreement between therapist and group members about the expectations and conduct for successful group membership (Fehr, 2003). It covers topics such as logistics of group meetings, fees for group therapy, confidentiality, and expectations about the minimal duration of group treatment as well as more intangible issues such as the necessity to explore the relationships within the group, particularly with the therapist. The contract also brings emotional issues, which are often difficult and avoided, such as money, sexual feelings, and anger, to a conscious space within the group member and highlights the importance of working with these issues as a vital part of the group experience. The idea that group is meant to be an avenue for verbal exploration of both intrapsychic and interpersonal conflicts is specifically spelled out in the contract. The directive to “put thoughts and feelings into words and not actions” is always an explicit part of my own group contract. Of particular importance in this intervention is the agreement that there is to be no contact between members outside of group.
