The written summary as a group psychotherapy technique

Measuring treatment process in coping skills and interactional group therapies for alcoholism

An instrument designed to measure components of two distinct alcoholism aftercare treatments was developed and evaluated for reliability and validity. Trained judges reliably rated audiotaped samples of coping skills and interactional group therapy sessions. Coping skills groups engaged in significantly more education and skill training, problem solving, and role playing. Interactional groups showed more interpersonal learning, expression/exploration of feelings, and here-and-now focus. Groups that employed more education and skill training, less expression and exploration of feelings, and less here-and-now focus were associated with fewer members reporting subsequent drinking-related problems. None of the ratings of group activities was related to abstinence.

Cognitive group therapy for wives of alcoholics--a pilot study

This paper reports on the results of group therapy for the wives of alcoholics where the alcoholics themselves were offered no treatment. The reason for running such a group is based on the idea that wives might seek help before their husbands, might attend sessions regularly and by acquiring better knowledge of alcoholism and improving their use of coping strategies might favourably influence their husbands' behaviour. At 6-month follow-up it was evident that coping styles were learned quickly; the sessions also provided support and friendship. Attendance at the group induced change, though not always positive in all marriages. Suggestions for future work are discussed.

Posted summaries of marital therapy

Summaries of marital therapy sessions, similar to those used in group psychotherapy by Yalom, were posted to reach couples three or four days after each session. The summaries of 600 to 4,000 words included a narrative account of the session and some editorial comment by the therapist. Couples completed a questionnaire assessing the use of the summaries. Replies to questionnaires and clinical impressions indicate the summaries had good acceptability. Couples felt the summaries increased their focus on marital problems between the sessions and provided helpful clarification.