An Integrative Systems-Oriented Interpersonal/Relational Group Approach to Understanding and Treating Mass Trauma, Dissociation and Enactments During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is a new ongoing, long-term mass trauma event occurring simultaneously with overwhelming sociopolitical stressors. We propose an integrative, psychodynamic, systems-oriented, interpersonal/relational trauma group model to address the multiple losses, heightened anxieties, and complicated grief that have resulted from the pandemic, as well as various forms of interpersonal abuse associated with racist and oppressive systems. These manifest as dissociation and unconscious enactments in small and large psychotherapy groups. We examine the role and responsibilities of the group leader in working therapeutically with these phenomena. Case examples for large and small psychotherapy groups are provided.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

There are no commercial or financial involvements among the authors that might present the appearance of a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ In an effort to ascertain some follow-up on the large group, and as part of their preparation of this paper, the authors reached out to several participants who attended the event to gather their impressions. We also reviewed an account by a member of color concerning her experiences (Brooks, 2021). These additional data points confirmed our observations and impressions regarding traumatic enactment and replication of broader social dynamics during the large group. They also added some important additional details which we incorporated into this article. We want to gratefully acknowledge the contributions of our colleagues who identify as members of color or White, all of whom reviewed the following case example and provided helpful feedback.