The use of planted patients in group psychotherapy

Empirical Guidelines for Group Therapy: Pretraining, Cohesion, and Modeling

Group therapy has traditionally been viewed as more an art than a science. This paper suggests that the field is reaching a level of empirical sophistication which permits the development of clinical models from empirical data. Pretherapy -training, cohesion, and modeling are suggested as significant parameters of effective group treatment. The evidence defining the properties and effects of those variables is reviewed and their theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Volunteer adolescents in adolescent group therapy. Effects on patients and volunteers

The effects on patients, volunteers and staff of using volunteer adolescents in adolescent group therapy are examined. From 40 candidates eight volunteers were selected and oriented to the group process. Four volunteers and four patients were placed in each of two groups, and eight patients were placed in the third group. Patients and volunteers were aware of their identities in the first group session. Attendance in the groups with volunteers was better than in the group without. The volunteers themselves gained new knowledge and skills, and their presence was even helpful to the group leaders.