title: Limiting time-unlimited group psychotherapy.
abstract: For a number of reasons, we decided to bring three long-term, open-ended psychodynamic therapy groups to termination. We examine the process that began with the announcement of the change to a time-limited format, and concluded with the termination of the group. The transition had a powerful impact on the members and the group-as-a-whole. The therapists used supervision to deal with the intensity of the group process and the countertransference demands posed by the transition. Groups facing a similar change due to economic pressures may benefit from these observations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Joyce
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kipnes
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Piper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003379:Countertransference; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D014167:Transference, Psychology