Psychotherapy in a Large Open Family Group

Abstract

A technique of psychotherapy is reported, using a large open group of theoretically unlimited lifetime. Family and friends are encouraged to attend and new members are added independently of those leaving the group. Various features of such a group are conparable to small group analysis. The group may be used for the exploration and treatment of family psychopathology. Meetings containing 20 or more members, with several families being represented, are not uncommon. Observers likewise are not limited in number and the group serves a useful teaching and training function as a consequence. A wide range of patients, including those regarded as unsuitable or too difficult for conventional psychotherapeutic management, may be treated by this technique. Illustrative cases are described. The purpose of this paper is to describe a technique of group psychotherapy which has been practised over a period of several years and which differs in some important respects from established methods. This technique, the large open family group, has proven itself to be useful in treating a wide range of patients.