66th Annual Conference

Saturday, February 21

Morning Open Sessions

9:00 - 11:30 A.M.

Session 314

Resistance and Affect in Groups for Medically Ill Patients

Presented under the auspices of the AGPA Medical Illness SIG

Chairs:              

Kathleen Hubbs Ulman, Ph.D., CGP, FAGPA, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry (Psychology), Harvard Medical School, Boxford, Massachusetts

Panelists:           

Samuel C. Klagsbrun, M.D., Executive Medical Director, Four Winds Hospital, Katonah, New York

Deborah Schwartz, M.D., Private Practice, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Sharan L. Schwartzberg, Ed.D., FAOTA, Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; Adjunct Professor, Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts

Groups for special medical and disabled populations present leaders with unique challenges to move beyond diagnostic labels, loosen defenses and help members access their affects. The panelists will present the models they use to deepen affect in groups with these populations. Case examples will be used to illustrate the material.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Describe the techniques applicable to accessing affect in the medical illness population.

2. Describe the positive aspects of accessing affect in these populations.

3. Describe the ways to setup and lead a medical illness group.

Course References:

1. Schein, L.A., Bernard, H.S., Spitz,H.I., Muskin, P.R. (2003). Psychosocial Treatment for Medical Conditions: Principles and Techniques. New York, New York: Brunner-Routledge.

2. Spiegel, D. (1998). Living beyond limits: New hope and help for facing life threatening illnesses. New York, New York: Town Books.

3. Ulman, K.H. (1993). Group Psychotherapy with the Medically Ill. In H.I.Kaplan and B.J. Saddock (Eds.). Comprehensive Group Psychotherapy. (pp. 459-470). Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins.