The Basics of Group Therapy

In The Basics of Group Therapy, Dr. Marmarosh and Dr. DeSilva demonstrate the basics of group therapy. They exemplify how leaders prepare group members for the group, begin to establish norms for the group process, foster cohesion, and empathize with BIPOC members who have histories of oppression and discrimination.

The leaders work collaboratively to help members take risks in the group, give one another feedback, and take in empathy and support from the members. The session transforms over time as members share more of their personal experiences and internalized shame and then shift to more connection and self-compassion. The demonstration in this video is framed by an informative discussion with the guest therapists hosted by Dr. Martyn Whittingham.

Group therapy places a large focus on member personality, attachment, culture, and trauma. It works to create the ideal treatment for loneliness, disconnection, depression, and anxiety. This treatment addresses the needs of diverse members who have experienced the pain of racism, homophobia, sexism, and hate. It is useful for members who have learned to be self-critical, devalue themselves, and mistrust others.

Dr. Marmarosh is a licensed psychologist who has published over 50 empirical and theoretical articles that focus on how group and individual psychotherapy facilitate change. Dr. Marmarosh is the lead author of Attachment in Group Psychotherapy and Groups: Fostering a Culture of Change. She also published a training video applying attachment theory to group psychotherapy for the American Psychological Association’s (APA) psychotherapy series. She is the current editor for the International Journal of Group Psychotherapy. She is a Board-Certified Psychologist (ABPP), and she is a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA), Division 29 (Psychotherapy), and Division 49 (Group) of the APA. Dr. Marmarosh is certified group therapist (CGP), past president for Division 49, recipient of the Group Psychologist of the Year Award from Division 49 (2020), the Training and Mentoring awards from Division 49 (2023) and 29 (2019), and has a private practice in the DC area where she works with individuals, couples, and groups.

Dr. DeSilva (they/them), is a licensed psychologist and certified group psychotherapist who has led the large group team at the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) national conference twice, currently serves as President-Elect of the Mid Atlantic Group Psychotherapy Society, and has presented an APA-approved, CE bearing workshop titled “Queering Our Groups: Moving Beyond Inclusion” for the Atlanta Group Psychotherapy Society in November 2023. They have also produced a video for AGPA on DEI issues for workshop and event leaders. Dr. DeSilva leads the Groups, Organizations, and Culture Lab (GOCL) at GWU PsyD and is proud to provide organizational assessment services in the community for free. Recent partnerships have been with the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights. Dr. DeSilva has forthcoming publication in the International Journal of Group Psychotherapy focusing on large group work.

APA Videos of Related Interest

Attachment in Group Therapy: Facilitating the Group Climate
Cheri L. Marmarosh, PhD

Focused Brief Group Therapy in Practice 
Martyn Whittingham, PhD

Group Psychodynamic-Interpersonal Psychotherapy in Practice
Samuel F. Mikail, PhD, and Giorgio A. Tasca, PhD

Attachment-Based Family Therapy
Guy S. Diamond, PhD

Attachment-Based Psychotherapy in Practice
Peter C. Costello, PhD

APA Books of Related Interest

Attachment in Group Psychotherapy
Cheri Marmarosh, PhD, Rayna Markin, PhD, and Eric B. Spiegel, PhD

Focused Brief Group Therapy: An Integrative Approach to Reducing Interpersonal Distress
Martyn Whittingham, PhD

The Psychology of Groups: The Intersection of Social Psychology and Psychotherapy Research
Craig D. Parks, PhD, and Giorgio A. Tasca, PhD

Group Development in Practice: Guidance for Clinicians and Researchers on Stages and Dynamics of Change
Virginia Brabender, PhD, and April E. Fallon, LCSW

Group Psychotherapy in Inpatient, Partial Hospital, and Residential Care Settings
Virginia Brabender, PhD, and April E. Fallon, LCSW

Other resources

Marmarosh, C. (2017). Attachment in Group Psychotherapy: Bridging theories, clinical practice, and technique. Introduction to the Special Edition of International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 46, 157-160.

Marmarosh, C. & Markin, R., & Spiegel, E. (2013). Attachment in Group Psychotherapy. American Psychological Association.

Ribeiro, M. D. (Ed.). (2020). Examining social identities and diversity issues in group therapy: Knocking at the boundaries. Routledge.

Whittingham, M., Marmarosh, C. L., Mallow, P., & Scherer, M. (2023). Mental health car and equity and access: A group therapy solution. American Psychologist, 78(2),119-125.

Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2021). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (6th ed.). Basic Books.