CURRENT PRACTICE OF GROUP-THERAPY AT UNIVERSITY COUNSELING CENTERS - A NATIONAL SURVEY

The purpose of this study was to pin an understanding of the current p ractice of group Psychotherapy at university counseling centers. A gro up usage survey was developed and used to assess the current practice of group psychotherapy. Surveys were distributed to 232 counseling cen ter directors, with 148 responding, yielding a return rate of 64%. The results of the study indicate that the typical group consists of 5-8 members, is co-led for 1.5 hr, and meets weekly in the late afternoon. Results include information about group screening, preparation, and o ther group factors. Although group therapy is a widely practiced thera peutic modality, it appears that it is not carrying enough of the burd en of treatment delivery despite the widespread administrative constra ints on treatment length and the concurrent high level of demand for s ervices in university counseling centers. implications for practice an d future research are discussed.