NCJ Number
183029
Date Published
2000
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This examination of group counseling approaches examines such common approaches as Transactional Analysis, milieu therapy (in the form of the therapeutic community), Guided Group Interaction, and Reality Therapy.
Abstract
A discussion of the application of standard systems of psychotherapy to group counseling describes person-centered therapy, which focuses on the establishment of a therapeutic relationship in which unconditional positive regard for the client becomes the environment in which positive changes occur; and transactional analysis, which features counseling efforts to identify various ego states ("child," "parent," or "adult") that underlie positive and negative behaviors. A section on systems of group counseling describes psychodrama, in which the client has an opportunity to act out and thereby experience various aspects of his/her life situation in front of an audience; milieu therapy, in which all members of an institution provide therapeutic experiences so as to create positive change in the behavior of those in the institution; guided group interaction, which involves guiding a group to interact so that group members exert positive influences on one another; and Reality Therapy, which can be used individually or in groups to engage individuals in critiques of their behavior, the rejection of irresponsible behavior, and teaching clients to develop better ways of meeting their needs within the limits of reality. A discussion of recent trends focuses on the evaluation of programs and group work with particular types of offenders. 1 figure, key concepts and terms, and discussion questions