Group Psychotherapy

Group Psychotherapy

Group psychotherapy is a technique using group dynamics and mutual support. Among the various types of group psychotherapy, supportive-expressive group psychotherapy (SEGT), initially developed by Yalom et al., is used the most for advanced cancer patients. The fundamental domains of SEGT include confronting existential issues, promoting emotional expression and optimizing social support. Usually, the patients are encouraged to attend weekly group meetings (each group consisted of 3–12 members) lasting ∼90 min. In general, there are two facilitators who are often psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers or trained nurses. The therapy intends to foster support among group members and encourage the expression of emotions related to cancer and its broad-ranging effects on their lives, including physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects. The patients are given the opportunity and support to talk about the effects of illness; its treatment; changes in their self-image and roles of and their relationship with family members, friends, coworkers, health-care providers and others. Participants also discuss the life-altering nature of the illness and coping and communication strategies. They are asked to attend the group sessions as long as possible if the sessions continue to be of benefit. To the best my knowledge, SEGT is proved to be the most effective therapy to improve depression among advanced cancer patients.

Ref: Tatsuo Akechi, Psychotherapy for Depression Among Patients with Advanced Cancer, Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, Volume 42, Issue 12, 1 December 2012, Pages 1113–1119