Using the Orchestration Group Process of the Gerwe-Orchestration Method in Group Therapy for Addiction and Recovery

Abstract

The Gerwe-Orchestration Method (G-OM) group therapy approach blends cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychodynamic approaches to target dysfunctional addictive behaviors that originated during pivotal developmental experiences and continued to evolve through repetition and linkage with the addiction. The Orchestration Group Process (OGP) is the cornerstone of G-OM and provides a method to better understand the relationship of current behaviors and previous pivotal life experiences. The OGP approach has been successfully integrated into the addiction group therapy in a variety of settings with or without the full use of the other components of the G-OM method, including intensive outpatient, military, and criminal justice settings. This article describes and illustrates the OGP method and its historical roots.

Key Words:

• Addiction
• relapse
• developmental
• high-risk behavior
• cognitive-behavioral therapy
• psychodynamic therapy
• group treatment