A social identity approach to facilitating therapy groups

Group therapy offers both an effective and cost-effective means to support mental health. Facilitators are key to the benefits that clients derive from group therapy. However, minimal research has examined how their effectiveness can be maximized. To address this limitation, we propose that group fa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inClinical psychology (New York, N.Y.)
Main Authors Robertson, Alysia M., Cruwys, Tegan, Stevens, Mark, Platow, Michael J.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Washington DC 14.09.2023
Subjects
Group Cohesion
Group Psychotherapy
Human
Leadership
Social Identity
Therapeutic Alliance
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Summary:Group therapy offers both an effective and cost-effective means to support mental health. Facilitators are key to the benefits that clients derive from group therapy. However, minimal research has examined how their effectiveness can be maximized. To address this limitation, we propose that group facilitators should be conceptualized as leaders, and that identity leadership theory provides a valuable framework for efforts to understand and increase their effectiveness. We introduce and review identity leadership theory and its evidence base, then propose three key pathways through which identity leadership can enable therapy facilitators to support improved treatment outcomes. Specifically, we argue that by engaging in identity leadership, facilitators can (a) improve clients’ attendance at therapy sessions, (b) create new, health-promoting norms and identities, and (c) foster stronger therapeutic relationships with and among group members. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)
ISSN:0969-5893
1468-2850
DOI:10.1037/cps0000178