Resolving Resistances to Immediacy in the Group Setting

Abstract

This article presents interventions appropriate to three forms of resistance commonly encountered in the group. One is the tendency of members to talk in the past tense instead of the present. A second is the disposition of members to dwell on the future. The third is their tendency to occupy the group with issues in their outside lives. Also mentioned are certain other common resistances to interaction that all group therapists will sometimes encounter. As important as the techniques themselves is the therapist's recognition of the need to keep groups moving forward in new and productive ways. During this is the essence of the work.