Critical areas of therapists' functioning in adolescent group psychotherapy: a comparison with self-perception of functioning in adult groups by experienced and inexperienced therapists.
The results of the study's questionnaire has pointed toward some areas of significant differences between experienced and inexperienced therapists in their work with adults and adolescents. These differences appeared to emphasize some techniques and approaches which the experienced therapists have successfully modified for their work with adolescents, and may indicate some important gaps in typical training programs for group therapists. The results have been utilized recently by supervisors in a university affiliated training program for therapists, to predict and focus on trainees' adaptation of general group therapy techniques for work with adolescents. Some directions for further research were also suggested, such as a study of the effect of co-therapists' sex on adolescent group process, and the need for more specific and effective assessment measures of group process and progress in adolescent groups, which could be utilized by therapists at all levels of experience.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006126:Group Processes; D006127:Group Structure; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012649:Self Concept