USING THE PROSPECTIVE APPROACH AS AN ADJUNCT TO ESTABLISHED MODELS OFGROUP-PSYCHOTHERAPY

Four models of group therapy-psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, cognitive- behavioral, and existential-are discussed. Three features of these mod els are compared: the therapist's role, the establishment of a therape utic alliance, and the working through of conflict. Despite their adva ntages, each of these models has certain limitations. Techniques deriv ed from the prospective principles of caregiver-infant interaction may help overcome these limitations, resulting in additional insight abou t the relational patterns of the group members. This prospective appro ach supplements established models by facilitating a more rapid identi fication of latent conflict, as well as easing the working-through pha se and the transition from conflict to a conflict-free state. In addit ion, the prospective approach promotes the integration of diverse mode ls of group psychotherapy.