Das Therapeutische Zyklusmodell : eine Evaluation im gruppenpsychotherapeutischen Setting

Abstract

Research on group psychotherapy processes is more complex as by individual psychotherapy. The aim of this pilot study was to test the applicability of Mergenthaler's Therapeutic Cycle Model (TCM) to the process of group psychotherapy. It describes the psychotherapeutic process by means of Emotion-Abstraction Patterns, which can identify key sessions and key moments. The model bases on the variables of Emotional Tone and Abstraction, which are markers of affective experiencing and cognitive style. The ninth session of a psychodynamic oriented group treatment for eating disorder patients was investigated. The transcript was segmented into 59 blocks of 150 words each. Emotion-Abstraction Patterns were established for (1) every single patient, (2) patients as a group (3) therapist, and (4) group as a whole including the therapist. Speech proportion for every group member was computed and their sequence portrayed, and the,thematic subdivision within the session was depicted. The TCM proved to be a promising method for describing the process of group psychotherapy. Whereas for a single patient only Emotion-Abstraction Patterns could become identified, Therapeutic Cycles became observable for the group as a whole. Preliminary findings are interpreted on the basis of theories of group processes.