Search

Although telepsychiatry is not new, the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically boosted and legitimized it, especially in the field of group therapy. Group therapists have been forced to move online without enough training in leading online groups. Online groups are not the same as meeting in person and present specific obstacles and challenges that should either be compensated for or acknowledged as losses. In this article, the author summarizes these obstacles, identifying factors in group therapy, such as body-to-body interaction, that are absent online and suggesting ways to compensate for other differences, such as the therapist's reduced control over the setting. Surprisingly, some group members may benefit from online groups more than from in-person ones, but the online format is not for everyone. Research on online therapy has already shown this format's effectiveness, and the therapeutic alliance that is positively correlated with outcome seems to be achievable online as well. However, more research is needed, especially on cohesion in online groups, which seems to develop slower online.

Ravit Raufman’s paper contributes to the bridging gap between relational approaches and group therapy. It is also important in its recognizing the (group) therapist’s aggression and suggesting how to use it in the service of the group development. In this review I focus on the dynamics of a group of women led by a woman to explain some of the phenomena that Raufman describes in her article, and I add some social unconscious ideas to enrich our understanding of that group.

Background: Online group therapy is a relatively new modality for leading groups There is not enough research yet to evaluate its effectiveness and no clear guidelines about how to do it well With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic it became even more crucial to provide clinicians with appropriate research review and practical guidelines The purpose of this article was to provide practice recommendations based on or despite the limited research Method: The article reviewed research on online therapy in general, including any on groups, followed by a summary of the obstacles in leading groups online and recommendations for creative solutions Findings: Research on online groups is still scarce, and its quality still has many limitations Discussion: More research is needed, especially on specific elements in online group therapy, such as the establishing of cohesion and therapeutic presence online, as well as how different the working alliance and cohesion are created online when compared to face-to-face groups Despite limited research, the author recommends being more active and increasing self-disclosure in online groups to compensate for the challenge of being present and the lack of body-to-body interaction Training for online group therapy is necessary (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Highlights and Implications-*Two of the ingredients of the therapeutic alliance, agreeing on the goals and tasks, can easily be achieved in online groups The third one, the quality of relationship, is still questionable *The absence of body-to-body interaction in online groups may be considered the main obstacle in shifting from the circle to the screen The absence of eye contact is especially relevant for group therapists *Presence is difficult to achieve through screen relations There are too many distractions Increasing the group therapist's self-disclosure and encouraging group members to use their imagination may be of help *Moving from in-person to online group therapy requires knowledge and training, just as when moving from individual therapy to group therapy (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)

All group therapy textbooks emphasize the importance of the setting for a successful outcome of the group. This setting includes clear boundaries of time and space, stable participation, and good leadership. All are seen as requirements to create a safe enough environment for participants to work on deep issues. In addition, for its normal development and progress, the group is expected to go through a stormy stage with disagreements and conflicts. My article will highlight groups that do not follow such ‘rules’. Surprisingly, the members are still able to work at deep levels, create intimate relationships, and benefit from the group. How is this possible? Should we change our theories? I link the success of these groups to the secure presence (Neeman-kantor, 2013, researching outdoor groups of wives of Israeli soldiers who suffer from war PTSD) of the leader and the imagined internalized group that the members create. Applying field theory explains how a multi-unconscious-fantasy makes these impossible groups possible.

Relying on the idea that fairy tales are part of the foundation matrix, and that the phenomenon of realization of idiomatic expressions (often appearing in fairy tales) helps to reveal the affinity between concrete and metaphoric layers of the mind, this article focuses on the realization of idiomatic expressions found in fairy tales dealing with the earliest mother–son relationships in order to explore the different modes of expression in the social mind. Focusing on the folk tradition of eastern European Jews we exemplify the affinity between primary levels of mental organization, which are relatively universal, and social-cultural aspects with which a certain ethnic community is pre-occupied.

Internet connections and communication have drawn a lot of criticism from scholars, researchers, and parents, ranging from fears of losing one’s identity, creating false selves, and becoming addicted. At the beginning of Internet commentary, there was often an expressed devaluing of any relationships developed on Cyberspace, seeing them as shallow and unreal, and fearing the loss of privacy. Encounter and sensitivity training groups in the United States in the 1970s, based on a humanistic psychological theory and emphasising present experience, connection and human fulfilment, flourished as a response to an alienated society and lack of authentic human connections. In a society prioritising individuality and materialistic achievements or financial achievements at the expense of human relationship, these groups attracted many people hungry for connection. Connection over the Internet is the new answer to human isolation and alienation in modern society, and indeed a good answer for the need to be in relationship.