ABSTRACT
The preparation of the group psychotherapist involves recognition that for the therapist, addiction is also a family disease. Recovery from addiction often occurs in intentional communities such as self-help fellowships, where the covert dynamics that enabled addiction in the family of origin are replaced by explicitly negotiated boundaries and free expression of affect. The functional psychotherapy group is an intentional family-like group that facilitates joining an intentional community of recovery such as Alcoholics Anonymous. The preparation of the group psychotherapist for conducting a well-functioning psychotherapy group for recovering individuals and their family members involves at least four aspects for practicing effectively with recovering group members: personal experience in recovery from addiction as a family disease, including the use of a sponsor and attendance at self-help group meetings; personal experience in psychotherapy and/or training groups; personal experience in group relations conference work; and the capacity to bring one’s body and mind into the role of group psychotherapist.
