Group Therapy with Multiple Therapists in a Large Group
PHILIP HERSCHELMAN M.D.1, and
DAVID FREUNDLICH M.D.2
1 Fellow in psychiatry at Chestnut Lodge, Rockville, Md. 20850
2 Clinical instructor in psychiatry, New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital Center, New York, N. Y.
Group therapy meetings involving 35 to 45 patients and ten or 11 therapists were initiated with the limited goal of reducing tension on the ward. This goal was surpassed; it was even possible, despite the size of the meetings, to accomplish meaningful exploration of affect-laden areas. The therapists' after-group meetings contributed appreciably to their professional growth and to the general morale of the therapeutic team. The multiple therapist technique was found to be a significant improvement over the traditional ward meeting or patient-staff conference.
