Relational process in a learning group

Abstract

I describe my efforts as an invited presenter to connect an ongoing educational group conducted over the Internet. To illuminate relational theory and technique, I had to forget about being an ‘expert’, and help the other participants to forget about their respective roles as students and staff members. Three frames of psychotherapy came into play that spurred group process: CBT, interpersonal-group-analytic, and relational. More important still were the play of personalities and the particular characteristics of the electronic setting, which included sudden blank spaces and frozen and speechless visuals on our screens. In an hour and a half we were able to strike the chords of human existence. Relational matrices prevail, no matter human or Internet provider.