66th Annual Conference

Thursday, February 21

Afternoon Open Sessions

2:30-5:00 P.M.

Session 305

Using A Stage Play to Illustrate Principles of Psychodynamic Group  Therapy

Chairs:

Molly Walsh Donovan, Ph.D., CGP, Private Practice, Washington, DC

Robert Schulte, MSW, Private Practice, Alexandria, Virginia

Panelists:

Maryetta Andrews-Sachs, M.A., CGP, Private Practice, Washington, DC

John Dluhy, M.D., CGP, FAGPA, Private Practice, Washington, DC

Barry J. Wepman, Ph.D., CGP, Private Practice, Washington, DC

A dramatic reading of a play will illustrate the dynamic interplay of past, present and future in the development of group dynamics and transference relationships.  A post-performance discussion will allow participants to share reactions to the play and discuss their own approach to working with group dynamics and transference phenomena in group therapy.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Compare relational dynamics of the play's action and characters with transference phenomena and group dynamics in group therapy.

2. Analyze theme content of this stage play and apply to group therapy.

3. Compare the here-and-now experience of watching a play and bearing witness in a therapy group.

Course References:

Bollas, Christopher. (1992). Being A character. New York, NY: Hill and Wang.

Livingston, L. and Livingston, M. (2006). Sustained Empathic Focus and the Clinical Application of Self-Psychological Theory in Group Psychotherapy, International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 56, 67-85.

Segalla, R. (2006). Selfish and Unselfish Behavior: Scene Stealing and Scene Sharing in Group Psychotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 56, 33-46.