for GROUP THERAPY: A LIVE DEMONSTRATION

1 Instructor s ManualforGROUP therapy : A live DEMONSTR ATION withIRVIN YALOM, MD AND MOLYN LESZCZ, MDManual byAli Miller, MFT with Molyn Leszcz, MD & Victor Yalom, PhD2 GROUP therapy : A live DEMONSTRATION WITH IRVIN YALOM, MD AND MOLYN LESZCZ, MDThe Instructor s Manual accompanies the DVD GROUP therapy : A live DEMONSTRATION with Irvin Yalom, MD and Molyn Leszcz, MD (Institutional/Instructor s Version). Video available at 2011, , LLC. All rights reserved. Published by 150 Shoreline Highway, Building A, Suite 1 Mill Valley, CA 94941 Email: Phone: (800) 577-4762 (US & Canada)/(415) 332-3232 Teaching and Training: Instructors, training directors and facilitators using the Instructor s Manual for the DVD GROUP therapy : A live DEMONSTRATION with Irvin Yalom, MD and Molyn Leszcz, MD may reproduce parts of this manual in paper form for teaching and training purposes only.

2 Otherwise, the text of this publication may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher, The DVD GROUP therapy : A live DEMONSTRATION with Irvin Yalom, MD and Molyn Leszcz, MD (Institutional/Instructor s Version) is licensed for GROUP training and teaching purposes. Broadcasting or transmission of this video via satellite, Internet, video conferencing, streaming, distance learning courses or other means is prohibited without the prior written permission of the , Ali, MFT with Leszcz, Molyn, MD & Yalom, Victor, PhDInstructor s Manual for GROUP therapy : A live DEMONSTRATION with Irvin Yalom, MD and Molyn Leszcz, MD Cover design by by Julie GilesOrder Information and Continuing Education Credits.

3 For information on ordering and obtaining continuing education credits for this and other psychotherapy training videos, please visit us at or call s Manual forGROUP therapy : A live DEMONSTRATION WITH IRVIN YALOM, MD AND MOLYN LESZCZ, MDTable of ContentsTips for Making the Best Use of the DVD 4 Yalom s Interpersonal Approach to GROUP Psychotherapy 6 Summary of the Two-Session Re-enactment of The Schopenhauer Cure 11 Reflections on The Schopenhauer Cure by Molyn Leszcz, MD 26 Reaction Paper Guide for Classrooms and Training 30 Related Websites.

4 Videos and Further Readings 32 Discussion Questions 34 Role-Plays 39 Video Credits 41 Earn Continuing Education Credits for Watching Videos 42 About the Contributors 43 More Videos 454 GROUP therapy : A live DEMONSTRATION WITH IRVIN YALOM, MD AND MOLYN LESZCZ, MDTips for Making the Best Use of the DVD1. FACILITATE DISCUSSION Pause the video at different points to elicit viewers observations and reactions to the concepts presented. The Discussion Questions section provides ideas about key points that can stimulate rich discussions and learning.

5 2. ENCOURAGE SHARING OF OPINIONSE ncourage viewers to voice their opinions; no therapy is perfect! What are viewers impressions of what works and does not work in the sessions? We learn as much from our mistakes as our successes; it is crucial for students and therapists to develop the ability to effectively critique this work as well as their READINGS TO ENRICH VIDEO MATERIALA ssign readings from Related Websites, Videos and Further Reading prior to or after viewing. 4. ASSIGN A REACTION PAPERSee suggestions in the Reaction Paper CONDUCT A ROLE-PLAY The Role-Plays section guides you through exercises you can assign to your students in the classroom or training ON VIDEOS AND THE PERSONALITY OF THE THERAPIST Psychotherapy portrayed in videos is less off-the-cuff than therapy in practice.

6 Therapists may feel put on the spot to offer a good DEMONSTRATION , and sometimes move more quickly than they would in everyday practice to demonstrate a particular technique. Despite these factors, therapists and clients on video can engage in a realistic session that conveys a wealth of information not contained in books or therapy transcripts: body language, tone of voice, facial expression, rhythm of the interaction, quality of the alliance all aspects of the therapeutic relationship that are unique to an interpersonal encounter. Psychotherapy is an intensely private matter. Unlike the training in other professions, students and practitioners rarely have an opportunity to see their mentors at work.

7 But watching therapy on video is the next best more note: The personal style of therapists is often as important as their techniques and theories. Therapists are usually drawn to approaches that mesh well with their own personality. Thus, while we can certainly pick up ideas from master therapists, students and trainees must make the best use of relevant theory , technique and research that fits their own personal style and the needs of their therapy : A live DEMONSTRATION WITH IRVIN YALOM, MD AND MOLYN LESZCZ, MDYalom s Interpersonal Approach to GROUP Psychotherapy*THEORYI nterpersonal LearningOne key assumption of the interpersonal approach to GROUP psychotherapy is that patients presenting symptoms and underlying difficulties are to a large extent the result of maladaptive patterns of interpersonal relationships.

8 A major therapeutic factor in GROUP psychotherapy occurs in the form of interpersonal learning that is, GROUP members become more aware of and modify their maladaptive interpersonal behaviors and beliefs. Through the course of a successful GROUP therapy , patients obtain direct and repeated feedback about the effects of their behavior on others honest feedback, which they are unlikely to receive in a constructive and supportive manner anywhere else in their lives. With the therapist s active promptings, members will increase their awareness and understanding of how their behaviors impact other GROUP members: which behaviors elicit positive reactions, such as compassion, empathy, attraction, and a desire for increased emotional closeness, and which provoke negative reactions, such as anger, hurt, fear, and a general desire to withdraw.

9 They then have the opportunity to try out new behaviors in the relative safety of the GROUP , learning how to develop social relationships that are more fulfilling. Success begets success, and patients begin to internalize these experiences, altering some of their negative self-images. Finally, they apply these new social skills and internalized identities in their relationships outside the Therapeutic FactorsAlthough Yalom s model places a heavy emphasis on interpersonal learning, other therapeutic factors contribute to the efficacy of GROUP therapy as a treatment modality. These include: instillation of , universality, imparting information, altruisim, the corrective recapitulation of the primarily family GROUP , development of socializing techniques, imitative behavior, GROUP cohesiveness, catharsis, and existential factors.

10 GROUP as Social MicrocosmA basic assumption underlying this process of change is that the GROUP is a social microcosm that is, that the types of relationships patients tend to form in their daily lives will eventually be re-created within the GROUP itself. Thus the concept of transference from individual psychotherapy is broadened to include the parataxic distortions, as coined by Harry Stack Sullivan, which occur in all relationships. Because of the variety and number of GROUP members, the opportunity to work through the multiple transferences or distortions that develop is much richer than in individual FocusThe most powerful and efficacious way to learn from these recapitulated relationships is to focus on them as they continuously recur during the course of therapy .