Build-a- Group: Structural Considerations with Regard to Roles, Phases and Leader Intervention

Abstract

Gerald Schamess’ writings have provided clinicians with a clear blueprint for structuring groups according to the developmental needs of each group. In this article, I highlight some of his ideas on children’s groups, and apply them to a process group experience for graduate students. Topics such as roles, phase specific defenses, and how and when to intervene are described with clinical examples as illustration.

Keywords:

• Group process
• phases
• defenses
• leader intervention