AN INVITATION TO JOIN IN DIFFICULTY - REALIZING THE DEEPER PROMISE OFGROUP-PSYCHOTHERAPY

Group psychotherapy has proven effective in treating an impressive arr ay of specific problems. Clinical experience Iras also shown its utili ty in alleviating the Ino re general, and very costly, alienation and pain with which the human condition is often fraught. Recent changes i n health care delivery reflect a marketplace that emphasizes cost cont ainment, brevity and specificity of treatment, and a narrowed focus of training. Techniques are often valued above relationships. In this cl imate, we are in danger of losing sight of group therapy's deeper prom ise; the experiental lesson that human beings must move toward each ot her with involvement and a commitment to understanding in response to the inevitable difficulties that arise as toe share time, space, and r esources.