title: A group therapist perspective on self-help groups.
abstract: The author provides an overview of self-help groups in terms of their origins, growth, scope, and effectiveness, and then compares these groups with professionally conducted psychotherapy groups. A framework for evaluating group helping systems is proposed which includes five principal dimensions: the helping group as a social microcosm; technological complexity/simplicity; psychological distance/closeness between helper and helpee; specificity/generality of help methods; and differentiation versus nondifferentiation among participants. The author concludes his article by recommending four strategies for how group therapists can contribute to self-help groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lieberman
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012657:Self-Help Groups