A psychotherapeutic approach with elementary school teachers

Abstract

The traditional “lectures delivering” approach to classroom teachers used by mental health practitioners is investigated in the present study. An attempt is made to demonstrate the validity of preventative work in helping elementary school teachers as important agents in the promotion of more positive mental hygiene in the classroom and by adding to the lectures the variable of group therapy—“ego-sparing” techniques type. The latter approach seems to promote a teacher's own sense of security, more security in dealing the pupils, an easier acceptance of differences in others, and, finally, it tends to stimulate the development of a teacher's own ability to deal more sensibly, more conscientiously, and more realistically with daily problems.