ABSTRACT
This paper describes the development and growth of two long-term groups with highly transient membership and questions the need for stability of group membership for progress in group therapy. Two groups of relatives of psychiatric inpatients lad a total of 150 members in 18 months. Average membership has been 2-3 sessions. The groups have progressed from beginning to advanced stages of group development. Clinical examples describe the subtle passage and evolution of group norms-the legacy of the group—from generation to generation of members.
