What is Group Analysis?

Group analysis is a type of psychiatric treatment that focuses on the therapist meeting with a group of people instead of meeting one-on-one with an individual. Developed in the 1940s by Siegfried Heinrich Foulkes, often referred to as simply S.H. Foulkes, group analysis combines elements of social psychology with developmental psychology. The therapist does not act as a leader directing the group, but rather as a conductor who keeps the conversation flowing and lets the group take the lead. The central idea behind group analysis is the theory that the group represents society as a whole, and by learning to interact with each other to solve problems, the individuals will rely more on themselves for help instead of becoming dependent on a therapist.

In a group setting, the therapist strives to keep the conversation on track and make sure it is productive, not offensive. Often the members of the group all struggle with the same type of issues, ranging from serious addictions to health problems. When members routinely come to group sessions, they tend to form individual friendships and bond with the group as a whole. The group focuses on their problems as being part of the entire group and sends the message that an individual will not have to deal with her problem alone.

Not only does group analysis eliminate the relationship of the therapist as the director and an individual person as the student, so the speak, but it also allows one therapist to treat a large group of people at once. In times of crisis, such as a natural disaster or after a traumatic event like a war, a large number of people may need help. Often they cannot afford expensive therapist's fees, and a shortage of trained therapists keeps many people from receiving proper treatment. The group therapy option provides a solution to both problems. Soldiers returning home from war, for example, can seek comfort, support, and treatment options from group therapy sessions.

The support network and amount of trust set up in group analysis is crucial to how it functions. Members open up over time and share their feelings and daily struggles. They work together to comfort each other and look for solutions to their problems. This serves two main purposes. It both allows the individual to find a group of supportive friends who understands what he is struggling with, and it also allows the person to learn how to communicate with other people. He can take the coping and communication skills he learns from group analysis with him and apply them to day-to-day life.