Using Group Therapy in the Classroom Environment
In some ways, being in class is like being in a therapy group. Students come together at a specific time and place with the express goal of exchanging thoughts and ideas to learn and increase understanding.
During this process, students celebrate successes and deal with obstacles that impede their progress. Student achievement is monitored, and progress is measured. In the end, students hope to leave with more than when they arrived.
Awareness of the group therapy process has the potential to improve the classroom experience.
Imagine focusing a class's collaborative work with one or more of Yalom's therapeutic factors. Alternatively, group therapy techniques might help resolve interpersonal conflicts that arise during a course.
For this Discussion, consider how the therapeutic factors of group therapy might be applied to the classroom.
Also, reflect on your experience and share your insights about group therapy. Limit your reflection to your own thoughts and actions. Do not analyze or discuss behaviors or issues of other students in the class.