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Psychotherapy Group Plan: Faith-Based Leaders
Beverly J Moss
School of Behavioral Science, Liberty University
PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP PLAN 2
Psychotherapy Group Plan: Faith-Based Leaders
Topic Overview
This psychotherapy group plan discusses the difference between psychoeducation and
psychotherapy. Group composition takes time to create for the group that the therapist will
facilitate along with details of the setting and structure that has to be created. Goals of the group
are discussed so that at the end of their session, they are able to function better than before. This
paper will also discuss when the group member guidelines are discussed with group and what
they consist of. The group leader’s role and function; the backbone for success for the group is
considered as the individual that is held accountable for the psychotherapy session’s success.
Differentiation of Psychotherapy and Psychoeducation
The differences of psychotherapy and psychoeducation can be found in Nina Brown’s
book Fourth Edition Psychoeducational Groups Process and Practice which notes that
psychoeducation offers individuals the opportunity to learn about a specific problem or an
interest that will help them to begin to become educated and to understand and develop a skill set
and then process that skill set. It also offers methods of learning how to work through issues
that a person seeks to understand how to utilize what they have learned (Jacobs, 2016, p. 5).
Psychoeducation also gives the individual the opportunity to gain experience, new skills to
improve themselves in the development that is necessary to guide them towards a better present
and future (Brown, 2018, p.3). To differentiate between of psychotherapy and psychoeducation,
Irvin Yalom and Molyn Leszcz noted in The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, sixth
Edition that hope is fundamentally an important factor that is to be consistent and implanted in
the mind and heart of those in therapy (Yalom &Leszcz,2020, p.12 ). Their position on inspiring
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and giving hope in therapy should also be applied to psychoeducation. Psychotherapy according
to Sanna Vehvilainen’s article Commentary 2: Psychotherapy—The art of slow inquiry and
gradual discovery, he acknowledges that psychotherapy is more than the combination of
analyses, measurements, documentation and other materials that therapist use; psychotherapy is
“mediated solely by talk-in-interaction” between the client and therapist
(Vehvilainen,2019,p.192). Psychotherapy is about listening to the client individually or in a
group setting, with the intent to help them facilitate change to suffering that has happened, or
through a process that includes learning, and that is acceptable by the client, that does no harm to
the client or group (Goldfus, 2020, [video 09:33].
Group Composition
Based on Yalom & Leszcz book The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, Sixth
Edition, group composition takes time which begins with who is going to be part of the group
that is in the process of being created (Yalom & Leszcz, 2020, p. 136 ). Based on the individual’s
competence through an evaluation process which may consist of questionnaires, and/or criteria
and qualifications to be accepted into a group, also helps keep unacceptable behaviour down,
which can cause negative consequences and possibly failure for the group (Yalom & Leszcz,
2020, p. 136 ). A research published in the American Journal of Psychotherapy made a claim
that corresponds with the conclusions of other professional psychotherapist, that when
psychotherapist are in the stage of group composition, being mindful that attachment
characteristics have a positive behaviour impact among the members in group, which affects the
cohesion, relationship and possibility of success for each individual (Rosendahl et at., 2021,
p.57).
Arthur Jongsma and Kim Paleg, 2015, The Group Therapy Treatment Planner, with
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DSM-5 Updates, Second Edition, analogize building a reliable and affective treatment plan is
like building a house; planning and assessments are important for both (Jongsma & Paleg, 2015,
p.1). Also, psychotherapy for an individual or a group, the psychotherapists ought to have
developed a treatment plan that is designed with the group or individual’s wellbeing having been
part of the process for treatment to be effective ( p.1). Also, with psychotherapy for an individual
or a group, the psychotherapist ought to have developed a treatment plan that is designed with
the group’s wellbeing, having been part of the process for treatment to be effective (Jongsma &
Paleg, 2015, p.1).
Settings and Structure
The setting for a psychotherapy group should be in an area that is free from people
coming and going, a location where there is privacy for those in the group (Yalom & Leszcz,
2020, p.141). A location in the prison setting must be where there are windows and security
nearby, for the safety of the therapist, as well as each individual inmate, so that the incarcerated,
do not forget that they are being observed and listened to, as there are cameras, with listening
devices in most cases, which is a reminder that they are being watched and recorded (Yalom &
Leszcz, 2020, p.141). Part of the structure and setting up for the psychotherapy group consists of
the length of group, when and how often, and how long each session will last, and where the
therapy group will meet (Yalom & Leszcz, 2020, p.142).
For those in psychotherapy sessions in prison, the sessions usually last longer than the
psychoeducational groups, one reason is because they live in a stressful environment. Based on
Yalom & Leszcz notes in their book, although they mentioned Erekson et al., article titled
Duration of Psychological Therapy: Relation to Recovery and Improvement Rates in UK
Routine Practice which states that there is evidence that not only consistency and frequency of
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therapy sessions, but also a larger number of sessions, have a greater and more positive effect on
the mental and psyche of the individuals in the group (Yalom & Leszcz, 2020, p.144). As the
psychotherapist creates the setting and structure of the psychotherapy group, it is important to
remember that the therapist does not have to follow the way another therapist works, as she has
her own gift or style of leadership, and as long as the therapist stays within the guidelines of the
ASGW’s Best Practice Guidelines, the 2008 edition (Jacob, 2016, p.28) they are trained with
experience behind them, with accountability to someone, as set forth in the ASGW for
therapists, and they remember as therapist, that they are held responsible, not the group or
individuals for accountability of the group (Jacobs et al., 2016, p. 22-23).
Goals of Group
The preliminary goal of the group is to alleviate the suffering of the mind heart and soul
of the individual that has chosen to partake in psychotherapy(Yalom & Leszcz, 2020, p.22). To
get to that point the therapist’s goal is to help the client or the group to be able to get to the point
of functioning interpersonal, rather than feeling like no one can understand what they have been
through and why they feel the way they do. Being able to get the individual to turn feeling
depressed into being able to talk about the issues, and learn how to express their anger, (Yalom
& Leszcz, 2020, p.23). When a person in the group can begin to feel accepted by the other group
members, this is another important factor for reaching goals of group. This is referred to as group
cohesiveness(Yalom & Leszcz, 2020, p.37). This is when each group member begins to see that
each person has their own story, it enables them to see that the others still have scars that need to
be healed just like they do.
Yalom and Leszcz also acknowledged that personality change is part of the indicative
relief that should take place, which in most cases will take a long while, depending on the person
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in the group (Yalom & Leszcz, 2020, p.8). Jongsma and Paleg mention in their book The Group
Therapy Treatment Planner, with DSM-5 Updates Second Edition that the therapist is to set a
broad range of goals to find a solution for the problem. Each person is different and it can be
difficult to reach the goal with the vast diversity of problems or issues that people are dealing
with in the group (Jongsma & Paleg, 2016, p.2).
Yalom and Leszcz book published in 2020 notes that the goals for a successful
psychotherapy group are:
Obtain and suggest assistance response
Improve interpersonal relationships and communication
Experiment with new interpersonal relationships and communication
Talk honestly and directly about feelings
Gain insight and understanding into one’s thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors by looking at relationship patterns both inside and outside the
group
Gain understanding of the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of others
Improve self-confidence, self-image, and self-esteem
Start a process of personal change inside the group which can be carried
into one’s outside life (p.272).
Group Member Guidelines
Having a plan to discuss group guidelines or rules during the first group session for the
group needs to be discussed. For example, attendance or showing up late, being cooperative and
sensitive to others, or not talking over someone while they are talking, and discussion over food,
or water or soda are being allowed ( Jacob et al., 2016, p.111). Jacob et al., 2016 noted
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guidelines for group members include confidentiality. The group has a responsibility of not
talking about what another member discussed in the group (p.30). Each person has a right to
know and understand what the purpose of the group is about and how it will be conducted. The
group should be aware that sometimes there could be stressful situations that arise during the
group that may make someone uncomfortable, for example someone may lose a loved one or
lose a job and feel hopeless (30).
Yalom & Leszcz, 2020 noted that the guidelines for the group member should be
discussed in the first group session and subject to and focused on confidentiality, equal
participation, leaving the group, if they should feel pressured or coerced for any reason, treated
equally and fairly, treated with dignity (p.169).
Group Leader Role and Function
Nina Brown, acknowledges one of the group leader’s roles is to be mindful of being
objective as it can cause the leader to do harm by wrong interactions, negative behaviors,
relationships, which can lead to harm to the group, causing the group to shut down in interaction
(Brown, 2018, p.182). The function of the group leader is to facilitate. The leader is an authority
and accountability person. They provide emotional support, acceptance, set limits, remind others
of rules when they are not being followed (Jacobs et al., 2016, p.25). The group leader’s role and
function are to have a “realistic view, ethical behavior”, and be properly trained, concerning how
to create psychotherapy groups (Jacobs et al., 2016, p.27). An article written by Steffens et al.,
Advancing the social identity theory of leadership: A meta-analytic review of leader group
prototypicality, 2021, acknowledges the historical research done by analysts of the past, and they
are today, still addressing which is the importance of the group leaders functioning ability; to
organize, motivate, inspire group members to create and to meet their personal goals (p.36).
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Conclusion
The difference between psychoeducation and psychotherapy is that psychoeducation
deals with learning a skill, psychotherapy, an individual is able to receive healing and hope. The
beginning of setting up a group, and structuring it are part of the process which includes setting
goals for the group. There are also guidelines for the group member and the group leader’s role
and function. In my findings, group composition helps keep down behavior not welcome for all
involved, and having developed a structure of how long the group will meet and where, creating
a setting that is safe and allows the group not to be distracted or feel like others may hear them.
The goal is to alleviate suffering and feelings of hopelessness, which is why guidelines for the
group are important. The role and function of the group leader is to be trained to facilitate and
lead the group so as to do no harm.
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References
Brown, N. W. (2018). Psychoeducational Groups Process and Practice 4th Edition. New York:
Routledge.
Evolution of Psychotherapy, A Conversation about Processess of Change in Evidene-Based
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%7C5135501#/embed/object/details
Jacobs, E. E., Schimmel, C. J., Masson, R. L., & Harvill, R. L. (2016). Group Counseling
Strategies and Skills Eight Edition. Boston: Cengage Learning.
Jongsma, A. E., & Jr. Paleg, K. (2015). The Group Therapy Treatment Planner, with DSM-5
Updates, Second Edition. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Rosendahi, J., Alldredge, C. T., Burlingame, G. M., & Strauss, B. (2021, March 22). Recent
Developments in Group Psychotherapy Research. The American Journal of
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Rosendahl, J., Alldredge, C. T., Burlingame, G. M., & Strauss, B. (2021, June 1). Recent
Developments in Group Psychotherapy Research. American Journal of Psychotherapy,
74(2), 57. doi:https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20200031
Steffens, N. K., Munt, K. A., Haslam, A. S., Knippenberg, D. v., & Platow, M. J. (2021).
Advancing the social identity theory of leadership: A meta-analytic review of leader
group prototypicality. Organizational Psychology Review, 11(1), 36.
doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/204138662096256
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Vehvilainen, S. (2020). Commentary 2: Psychotherapy--The art of slow inquiry and gradual
discovery. Communications & Medicine, 16(2), 2. doi:https://doi.org/10.1558/cam.41911
Yalom, I. D., & Molyn, L. (2020). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy 6th.
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