A Model for Co-Therapy in Groups.

The thesis of this paper is that the group therapy process is enhanced by the use of two or more therapists in the group. The three main roles in a group are: (1) facilitator, (2) focal member, and (3) observer. The use of an additional therapist affords the opportunity for therapists to assume the focal member role without loss of group control, that is without clients assuming the facilitator role defensively. Further advantages include: (1) the focus of authority is distributed over the several therapists, making it easier for each to participate as a real person, (2) group therapy trainees can participate without the full responsibility for the group and freely assume all three roles, (3) therapists who are present can observe the group interaction for research purposes and during post session analysis, check out their "inter-judge reliability," and (4) therapists of different orientations and styles can interact to their mutual enlightenment and individual clients can find, from among the available therapists, the one with whom each can communicate most effectively. (Author/KJ)