65th Annual Conference

Saturday, February 23

Afternoon Workshops

2:15-5:30 P.M.

Workshop 91

Passion and Anguish in Group Therapy: Impact on and Transformation in Group Leaders

Chair:

Fred Wright , Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice CUNY, New York, New York

Neuroscience research (e.g. mirror neurons) and intersubjective theories (e.g., enactment theory) establish that therapists are both biologically and psychologically immersed in patients' experiences, including anguish and despair. Group dynamics can significantly amplify these experiences. This workshop will explore the impact this has on leader's emotional and personal life. Personal vignettes welcomed.
Sharing of work experiences-experiential-didactic-demonstration
 

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:
1. Cite neuroscience research on the powerful impact connecting emotionally to others has on people.
2. Define enactment theory.
3. Describe transformations in therapists' subjective experience.
4. Identify the sources of group therapists' despair.
 

Course References:

1. Grossmark, R. (2007). From Familiar Chaos to Coherence: Unformulated experience and enactment in group psychotherapy. In M. Suchet, A Harris & L. Aron (Ed.). Relational Psychoanalysis, 3, 183-208. Mahwah, NJ: The Analytic Press.
2. Wright, F. (2005) Valuing Enactments in Group Therapy: Discussion of three case studies. Group, 29, 4, 399-406.