ABSTRACT
Having worked with sexually compulsive men for many years, I have come to the view that group work is an almost essential element in the recovery process. This does not mean that individual work is ineffective, or not useful, but that an involvement in a group adds to the effectiveness of the therapeutic interventions. As our clinic has purposely constructed groups for treatment, we are inclined to use the group process as an alternative to individual work. Individual work is scheduled for individuals as preparatory to group work, for people who cannot find time to do a group and for those deemed likely to benefit more from an individualised process. This happens in the case of someone who has a ‘mild’ addiction or a confusing or stigmatising paraphilia. We would also schedule individual work for those with obsessive–compulsive-type behaviour that needs specialised attention.
