ABSTRACT
Group psychotherapy has become an attractive option because it is less costly and clients can receive longer psychotherapeutic treatment than the managed care companies allow for individual psychotherapy. Many clients, upon initially coming to both individual and group therapy, are extremely tense, with varying degrees of anxiety. In the majority of cases it should not be perceived as an indication of pathology, but rather a very human response to entering the unknown. Human beings are relationship-oriented entities. To be part of and accepted into something greater than oneself is powerful, if one feels destructive inclusion is of personal benefit. This need to belong, no matter how initially stressful, can be an excellent tool for the group leader in providing an environment that has the potential for healing. The members of a cohesive group are accepting of one another, supportive, and inclined to form meaningful relationships in the group. Cohesiveness seems to be a significant factor in successful group therapy outcomes.
