The use of a discrete large group in a conference setting as consultation and community building

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe the use of a discrete, two session large group in an organizational conference setting (of the Faculty of Medical Psychotherapy), which gave insight into unconscious systemic dynamics that affect the organization. In line with a tradition of the use of experiential large group experiences in organizational settings, we illustrate how such a group can be used as a consultative process through bringing forward fresh insights with a compelling emotional intensity and in community building through sharing experiences at a time of stress in mental health services with feelings of increasing isolation. Such insights can aid the organization and its elected officials in leading and developing strategy, whilst community building can lead to collective responsibility-taking and development of collegial relationships which serve to reduce isolation. We clarify different possible functions of the experiential large group in organizational conference settings including consultation regarding systemic dynamics, community building and affective integration of learning.