Book Discussion: The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy (Yalom and Leszcz)
Hi, Friends and Readers,
I would like to discuss the book, "The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy," (6th edition) by Irvin D. Yalom and Molyn Leszcz, (2020).
Why? Because writing my thoughts helps me to process what I am reading. Perhaps you will find some of my thoughts interesting, perhaps not. Historically, books I'm reading and my so called discussion fly over here somewhat like a lead balloon.
So, I'll say honestly, I'm doing this for myself, for my own self-knowledge about the way an "ideal" group can function to actually help the participants to actualize our lives in a better way.
I've been reading this book, in my way, which is the ADHD way, haphazardly, skipping around to something that interests me, focusing on a chapter that seems especially relevant at the moment, really "digging into" some of the stories that are told here. Because of who I am, I will not take a methodical chapter by chapter approach. Rather, when I read something that I find interesting, and I have a reflection about it, I will write here about it.
I expect little to no input here. Please don't feel obligated to write something if you don't feel strongly moved to do so.
I will only ask that you do me the honor of using your own words rather than relying on artificial intelligence to do it for you. I'm interested in fresh and interesting, "real" (as it were) thoughts. I already know my own thoughts are "real," and I trust myself, so I'll place my thoughts here.
In other words, please, no canned platitudes or attempts at "making me feel better." I feel okay!
I hope you feel okay too!
Being interested in the workings of the human mind, and how we can feel "better," whatever that means, is really what I'm interested in exploring here.
And, I'm willing to learn something from reading this book!
So, here goes Nothing!
Love and Courage,
Rose
I look forward to your insights from your reading.
So, here’s my current realization of why the Sharing Circles don’t work as therapeutic support as in the book I’ve been reading. Because the groups are fluid, as in, people come and go as they will, it’s a very fluid group, there is no continuity and also no responsibility for the other, in other words, others in the group. So, the interpersonal relationships are only fostered peripherally and as passion dictates, rather than being able to work through some of the difficulties in the “here and now” (my next topic for discussion), people just leave, they do their art project, they go to their job, but in a real live group wouldn’t people make the commitment to stay for the duration? And then the implicit commitment might be: working through some of the difficult interpersonal stuff in the here and now with the group?
Wow, here it is 2026 and I just dove into chapter “Group Cohesiveness and the Expression of Hostility” and ran across this quote which resonates: “We believe, for example, that we should consider the appropriate life span for the acute inpatient group to be a single session. ”
Excerpt From
The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy
Irvin D. Yalom & Molyn Leszcz
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-theory-and-practice-of-group-psychotherapy/id1506563176
This material may be protected by copyright.
So, I seriously just copied and pasted that one quote, but a whole train of thought ensued. Why is it the Sharing Circles aren’t therapeutic, mostly? Why is it that one participant can derail a whole Sharing Circle? What can be therapeutic about sharing?
Sharing Circles are, to me, filled with magic and wonder. That is, when they work as they are intended to work.
“Clients who drop out challenge the group’s sense of worth and effectiveness and may generate a contagion phenomenon that can scuttle the group endeavor.”
Excerpt From
The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy
Irvin D. Yalom & Molyn Leszcz
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-theory-and-practice-of-group-psychotherapy/id1506563176
This material may be protected by copyright.
This is what sometimes happens within the Sharing Circle environment! That contagion effect!
All for now!
Toute à l’heure!