Complex Dilemmas in Group Therapy

Lise Motherwell, PhD, PsyD, CGP, FAGPA, was on the faculty of the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies at Massachusetts General Hospital, an instructor at Harvard Medical School, and a supervisor and teacher in the MGH department of psychiatry for almost 20 years. She is president of the Northeastern Society for Group Psychotherapy Foundation, Inc., treasurer of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, a past president of NSGP, on the editorial board of the International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, and has written articles and book chapters and presented extensively on group therapy.Joseph J. Shay, PhD, CGP, FAGPA, is in private practice in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a faculty member of the joint McLean Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital training program, and an instructor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is also on the faculty of the Northeastern Society for Group Psychotherapy, the Psychoanalytic Couple and Family Institute of New England, and the MGH Center for Psychodynamic Therapy and Research. He is co-editor of Odysseys in Psychotherapy, co-author of Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy, and serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Group Psychotherapy.

"Motherwell and Shay’s second edition, with contributions from a who’s who in group therapy, contains new sections on addiction and extraordinary leadership challenges. What is unique about this book is its depiction of the vast array of specific dilemmas posed by group therapy and the varied and thoughtful ways to address these challenges therapeutically. This outstanding book, which nicely weds theory and practice, is a must read for all psychotherapists."—Jerome S. Gans, MD, CGP, DLFAGPA, associate clinical professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School "This gorgeous book, drawing on the wisdom of expert scholar-clinicians, provides us with a vivid characterization of the enormity of the challenges of the modality, the richness of the opportunities for members’ growth, and the depth of therapist satisfaction in seeing members change. Its rich clinical illustrations will inspire, instruct, and lead group psychotherapists, whatever their level of training and experience, to the next rung of competence." —Virginia Brabender, PhD, ABPP (Cl), professor, Widener University"There are two outstanding features to this book: it succinctly describes a great many of the most difficult situations that arise in conducting group psychotherapy, and presents the means for coping with these situations in a clear, jargon-free manner by collecting more than fifty of the world's top psychotherapists. This book has my heartiest endorsement."—Fred Wright, PhD, emeritus professor of psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, the City University of New York"The second edition of Complex Dilemmas in Group Therapy provides new dilemmas that, as in the first edition, can be perplexing and exasperating for the therapist. Happily, however, this excellent volume also offers stimulating and thoughtful responses from expert clinicians of differing theoretical orientations. The reader may agree or disagree with these therapists but will always be engaged."—Walter N. Stone, MD, professor emeritus of psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

• 1. Boundary Issues 2. Difficult Patients 3. Complex Defenses 4. Powerful Therapist Reactions 5. Substance Abuse Issues 6. Extraordinary Leadership Challenges 7. Conclusion