The Psychoanalytic Group Situation

ABSTRACT

This article explores the theoretical and clinical underpinnings of a specific form of group-centered psychotherapy. In this modality, the nature of the phenomena developing in the clinical situation are related to the prevailing levels of the therapeutic regression occurring in the group. It is suggested that the most regressive phenomena tend to be experienced as groupwide phenomena with individual members assuming the position of part objects, whereas lesser degrees of regression center on the experience of whole-object relations. Five dimensions of the therapeutic situation are explored: regression, the group as a setting, the nature of anxiety, the creation of objects, and symbolization. This model allows for a differentiated exploration of therapist-centered and peer-centered transferences. A session is discussed in detail.