The History of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy

Abstract

This chapter examines historical aspects of group counseling and psychotherapy by presenting key contributors, types of groups, and research (review articles, group vs. individual meta-analyses, themes from small group psychology, and substantive themes by clinical population). Group psychotherapy and counseling have a multifaceted history founded on over 100 years of theory, research, and clinical practice that informs this specialty in evidence-based professional psychology. Medicine, psychoanalysis, theater, communications, social psychology, evolution, and other domains have contributed. Group counseling, group psychotherapy, and group treatments are terms used interchangeably, although some controversy exists about the exact demarcation between these. Figure 1.1 depicts the placement of these group therapies among other kinds of groups. 'Many professional national and international organizations have promoted the place of experts in many kinds of groups by their involvement in the education, training, and credentialing of group leaders, group therapists, as well as promoting groups to the public' (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)