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“Very informative for the beginning group therapist. The book was especially helpful because of its broad-based approachwith a number of theoretical perspectives considered to further the understanding and integration necessary in exploratory therapy. The eclectic stance was a change from other models of exploratory group therapy frequently taught in training programs. I would recommend this book to any psychiatry resident interested in becoming a group therapist.”

—Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes (on the fourth edition)


“The writing is clear and clean....That this excellence is maintained throughout a book by three different authors is a tribute to the quality of the collaboration. Difficult concepts are explained well and in depth, but without oversimplification. Clinical examples are used copiously throughout and invariably richly illustrate the point under discussion....A particular strength (and remarkable achievement) of the book is that it offers something for everyone, from the novice to the highly experienced....An essential part of the library of every group psychotherapist.”

—International Journal of Group Psychotherapy (on the fourth edition)


“Presents a cohesive theoretical framework for the practice of group psychotherapy from a psychodynamic framework....The authors have succeeded nicely in unifying a complicated field without resorting to oversimplification....Fills an important niche and is unique in many ways. Without sacrificing intellectual clarity, it unifies and organizes the theory that underlies psychodynamic group psychotherapy....I highly recommend it.”

—Doody's Review Service (on the second edition)


“[The authors] have drawn from their vast experience to put together what is probably the best available book on psychodynamic group psychotherapy….The book should continue to be widely used as a basic text for teaching psychodynamic group psychotherapy.”

—Psychiatric Services (on the second edition)


“A comprehensive source for all aspects of group psychotherapy. Topics range from nuts-and-bolts issues like getting groups under way to substantial discussions of group development and dynamics, including ideas from attachment and mentalization theory. This is a book that will be of great interest to students just beginning clinical work, early-career professionals, and senior psychoanalytic psychologists who wish to improve and refresh their skills.”

—Elliot Jurist, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Philosophy, The Graduate Center and the City College of New York, City University of New York


“Since the publication of the first edition, this wonderful book has been the most valuable single volume on psychodynamic group therapy. Our culture has changed at a staggering rate; the fifth edition takes into account the impact of social media, public policy, and neuroscience research, bringing the field up to the moment. This book belongs in the library of every therapist, from beginning student to seasoned clinician.”

—Hillel I. Swiller, MD, Director, Division of Psychotherapy, Mount Sinai School of Medicine


“A 'must' for those learning the basics of group therapy and for experienced clinicians seeking to integrate contemporary developmental theories, neurobiological findings, and sophisticated group interventions. The authors emphasize dynamic approaches, but all group leaders, regardless of orientation, can benefit. Readers will learn how interpersonal difficulties develop and how group therapy has the potential to change lifelong perceptions of self and others and alleviate human suffering. I have used this text for over 10 years in my graduate courses; the fifth edition includes recent research findings, additional dynamic approaches to group treatment, and new clinical vignettes. It is a true gem that I will continue to rely on for training the next generation of group therapists.”

—Cheri L. Marmarosh, PhD, Professional Psychology Program, The George Washington University


“I have used Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy in teaching and find it to be a valuable resource to help graduate-level trainees gain a good grasp of group dynamics. Nuanced and yet succinct, the book elucidates the fundamentals of group functioning and equips the future practitioner to create an environment in which group members can connect with others in healing and meaningful ways. The fifth edition draws on contemporary research and neurobiology to demonstrate that human, face-to-face interaction is still necessary for creating well-being, even in our era of proliferating technology.”

—Alexandra Watkins, LMHC, CPRP, Adjunct Faculty, Counseling and Psychology Department, Lesley University

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Table of Contents

1. Groups in Today’s Society

2. History of Small-Group Theory and Practice

3. Group Dynamics and Group Development

4. Therapeutic Factors in Group Psychotherapy

5. Mechanisms and Processes of Change

6. Forming a Group

7. Patient Selection

8. Patient Preparation and the Group Agreements

9. The Role of the Group Therapist

10. Beginning the Group

11. Special Leadership Issues

12. Expressions of Affect in Group Psychotherapy

13. The Therapeutic Process: A Clinical Illustration

14. Difficult Groups and Difficult Patients

15. Time-Limited Psychodynamic Groups

16. Termination in Group Psychotherapy

17. Frequently Asked Questions

References

Author Index

Subject Index

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About the Authors

J. Scott Rutan, PhD, is a psychologist in private practice in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. He is a Distinguished Fellow and past president of the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) and a Certified Group Psychotherapist. Dr. Rutan was the founder of the Center for Group Psychotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School and cofounder of the Boston Institute for Psychotherapy. He has published widely on group therapy and psychodynamic theory, conducts workshops around the world, and serves on the editorial boards of several journals.
 
Walter N. Stone, MD, is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and currently consults and teaches in Northern California. A Distinguished Fellow and past president of the AGPA and a Certified Group Psychotherapist, Dr. Stone has served as a board member and treasurer of the International Association for Group Psychotherapy and Group Processes. He has published widely on self psychological perspectives in group psychotherapy.

• All titles by Walter N. Stone

 
Joseph J. Shay, PhD, is a psychologist in private practice in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is on the staff of the joint McLean/Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) training program and has an appointment in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He also serves on the faculties of the Northeastern Society for Group Psychotherapy, the Psychoanalytic Couple and Family Institute of New England, and the MGH Center for Psychodynamic Therapy and Research. A Fellow of the AGPA and a Certified Group Psychotherapist, Dr. Shay is a recipient of the Psychotherapy Supervision Award from the McLean/MGH residents in Adult Psychiatry. He has published widely on group therapy and couple therapy and serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Group Psychotherapy.

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Audience

Mental health professionals who work with groups, including clinical psychologists, social workers, counselors, and psychiatrists; instructors and graduate students.

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Course Use

Serves as a text in graduate-level courses such as Group Work and Group Psychotherapy.

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Previous editions published by Guilford:

Fourth Edition, © 2007
ISBN: 9781593852665

Third Edition, © 2001
ISBN: 9781572305182

Second Edition, © 1993
ISBN: 9780898620962

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New to this edition:

• Incorporates current theory (psychodynamic and interpersonal), which is grounded in clinical and neurobiological research
• Every chapter revised and updated.
• Chapter-length case example is entirely new.
• Chapter on Frequently Asked Questions includes many new issues.