Summary
The introduction of adolescents with serious personality problems into a constructively-oriented group-therapeutic program is a valuable procedure during this troubled period in their growth. The program discussed in this paper illustrates a close and effective working relationship between the psychiatrist and the social service department in a general hospital.
The director of social service implemented the program by integrating and co-ordinating the service within the hospital setting and the community (school, court, family agency etc.). The psychiatrist and social worker used a team approach to a community problem.
The combined individual and group psychotherapy sessions were particularly useful in enabling the writers to help their troubled patients to overcome their resistances and their blocks to progress. Finally, there are definite advantages to having the psychiatric and medical facilities of a voluntary general hospital at the disposal of the patients.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Bibliography
Becker, B. J.; Gusrae, R., and Berger, E.: Adolescent group psychotherapy: a community mental health program. Int. J. Group Psychother., 6:300–316, July 1956.
Cameron, K.: Group approach to in-patient adolescents. Am. J. Psychiat., 109:657–661, March 1953.
Cohn, I. H., and Hulse, W. C.: The use of a group psychotherapy program for adolescents as a training unit in child psychiatry. Am. J. Orthopsychiat., 31:521–535, July 1961.
Frank, J. D.: Some aspects of cohesiveness and conflict in psychiatric out-patient groups. Bull. Johns Hopkins Hosp., 101:4, 224–231, October 1957.
Friedman, N.: Some notes on psychotherapy with a group of adolescents. Acta Psychother. (Basel), 8:147–151, 1960.
Karmol, E.: Some observations of concomitant individual and group treatment of adolescents. Int. J. Group Psychother., 12:374–375, July 1962.
Livson, N., and Nichols, T. F.: Social attitude configurations in an adolescent group. J. Genet. Psychol., 91:1, 3–23, September 1957.
Phelps, H. R., and Horrocks, J. E.: Factors influencing groups of adolescents. Child Develop., 28:1, 69–86, March 1958.
Radden, S. B.: Group psychotherapy in a general hospital. Dis. Nerv. Sys., 18:10, 379–382, October 1957.
Scheidlinger, S.: Experimental group treatment of severely deprived latency-age children. Am. J. Orthopsychiat., 30:2, 356–368, April 1960.
Sonne, I.: Group therapy of puberal children. Uges kr Laeg, (Dan), 122:1743–1751, December 16, 1960.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Becker, B.J., Gusrae, R. & MacNicol, E. A clinical study of a group psychotherapy program for adolescents. Psych Quar 37, 685–703 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01566437
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01566437