Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy

Group therapy is, in my opinion, a criminally neglected and underrated tool in the toolset of psychotherapy and medicine. Group reveals our attachment style and communication patterns with a clarity, efficiency, and force that no other form of psychological intervention can match -- every person on the planet should spend some time in a group dealing with his or her mental and/or emotional issues. The world would be a better place.Irv Yalom probably knows more about group than any other person, and this guidebook is essential to anybody wanting to understand the form. Yalom explains group thoroughly, in an understandable but frequently profound manner. The main drawback is that the book may even be overly comprehensive, and its length is likely to intimidate non-professionals, which is a shame because the benefits of group need wider dissemination.

Yalom certainly conveys his knowledge, research, and experience clearly in an organized, interesting, and engaging way that makes this textbook easy reading, but not at all simplistic. Had to stop and "chew" on material often to absorb. A must for anyone who has the responsibility of facilitating a therapy group. Not for support group-related work, especially. This is process group 100%.

I have used Yalom's Group Therapy book since my doctoral training in the early 90's. His work is timeless and it is clear he is an individual who understands the heart and the soul of our work. I created and facilitate a 18 - 20 week Relationship Academy which is part didactic and part experiential. It is amazing to see the group dynamics play out as expected based on Yalom's work. I will often read from this text in the morning, so that my mind is prepared for the day. It often changes my perspective and opens my eyes to considering different interpretations of behavior and it encourages me to silence myself and allow the "process" to work. How very rewarding this is! I don't see how serious group work can be done without Yalom's influence. Thank you so much for the updated text. Barbara Tobias, PhD, MSN, RN, Clinical Psychologist and CEO of New Perspectives Psychotherapy and Consulting, Camp Springs MD.

Excellent book, but now that it is 2019, it needs to be updated to reflect the current health care system. This book details average inpatient hospitalization stays as 10-90 days. The current average length of stay at an inpatient hospital is 3-15 days. So a lot of the information about how to run groups was not as applicable now - in the book, it assumed patients would be together in groups for weeks, but the reality is that sometimes patients are only together for a day or two.

Yalom is as relevant today as ever. Writing with art for science, Yalom offers insights and wisdom for clinical group practice that have changed the way I approach my whole life. If you have the luck to read this as an assigned text, you may be relieved by his novelistic approach and his integration of existential philosophy. If you are looking for the deep dive, he’s your guy.

perfect condition, you saved me a lot of money. thank you so much!

We utilized this text during my Group Psychology course in my masters program. I felt it was very informative and is referred to highly by several of my colleagues. I had sold the text back to my campus book store a few years ago, but have decided I will benefit from having a copy available to me over my development as a professional. The information within this text, specifically the theories described by Yalom, are also incorporated into the state licensure exam, so it is a good reference to have when studying for this exam as well.

I've read a lot of Yalom's work and have been fortunate enough to find material by his wife. As a counselor who has worked in the trenches for over 23 years I appreciate his perspective, knowledge, wisdom and insight.This book never fails to deliver. While this is a lengthy tome of material to digest, I've found that it reads like a novel and left me feeling more hopeful as I came away with more insights, more skills, and a deep appreciation for the work I do and Yalom's contribution to the field.I hope he continues to write.