An Ego-Programmed Group Treatment Approach with Emotionally Disturbed Boys

Abstract

A mildly structured situation for group therapy is utilized to foster self-control in emotionally disturbed boys. Within certain limits a wide latitude of behavior is permitted while the child learns to satisfy his needs in a more socially acceptable way. Parents and teachers are educated by the psychiatric social worker to become better ego-models. The therapist, parent, and teacher assume roles as accepting, responding, limit-setting authority figures who manipulate their relationships with the child so as to increase ego strength. Recession in symptoms is observed to accompany improvement in ego function.