Group Psychotherapy

This article examines the multidimensional structure of interpersonal communication from the perspectives of sociometry, psychology, and sociology. Beginning with the sociological foundations of diction and forms of address, it investigates the distinct dynamics of communication with elders, children, peers, and titled individuals. The effects of popular culture on language and practices of respect, the new communicative norms accompanying digitalization, and the neurobiological underpinnings of adolescent psychology are discussed in depth. Particular attention is paid to contemporary theoretical frameworks concerning the concept of "extended adolescence" and the psychosocial roots of adolescent-like behaviours in adults. The article concludes with a sociometric mapping of communication networks drawing on Moreno's method, and with solution proposals for the communication crises of modern societies. The study argues that communication is not merely a skill but a moral ground upon which human dignity is either protected or violated.

This article develops a structural theory explaining why every modern civilization, including the present one, generates the same family of pathologies addictions, neuroses, antisocial substitution, the breakdown of intimate bonds, the perversion of communityand proposes a structurally principled remedy with immediate operational form. We argue that the human self-model is an active-inference exploration engine that must vary to remain viable in a non-stationary social environment, but that such variation is reptilian-dangerous when conducted in consequential reality. Evolution solved the dilemma with the safe, reversible playframe the recurring ritual-dramatic space in which alternative self-models can be enacted without real cost. Modern civilization multiplied consequential roles while eliminating the play-frame, leaving a structural lacuna which the unmet drive lls either through capture by extractive substitutes (addictions, compulsions, engagement-optimized platforms) or through chronic freeze (the neurotic spectrum). Psychodrama and sociodrama, in the tradition of Moreno (1953) and as developed in the contemporary practice of Solotowizki (2020, 2021), constitute an engineered re-installation of the play-frame. We propose the Network of Events as the delivery organ: distributed not localized, embedded in existing voluntary communities rather than founding new ones, propagated by a transient master-trainer whose role is to make herself unnecessary, with subsequent Psychodrama and the Play-Frame Lacuna facilitation re-selected sociometrically each session on rotating, orthogonal criteria. We derive the theory, prove its central structural resultsthe Exploration Imperative, the Bimodal Pathology Theorem, the Anti-Extraction by Sociometric Re-Selection Theorem, the Goldilocks Custodianship Corridorand specify the practical protocols for application to religious communities, drama groups, schools, theaters, and professional environments. The theory rests on the doctoral monograph of which this article is a synthesis and a dramaturgical-civilizational extension (Kriger, 2026).

IntroductIon Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological state that slowly diminishes a person's capability to think, act and remember. AD is identified by the existence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, which cause neurons and synapses to slowly die off. Memory loss, confusion, trouble with daily jobs and changes in personality and behaviour are all signs of AD. At the moment, there is no obtainable cure for AD, and the attainable treatments can only ease the symptoms and slow the disease's progress. [1] Cognitively stimulating activities are described as 'any activity that challenges the brain to use cognitive skills and/ or involves new learning'. [2] There are many ways to do these things, such as tasks, games, music, art or even just talking. The idea behind CSA is that doing mentally stimulating tasks may help to strengthen neural connections, improve cognitive reserve and slow the progression of mental decay in people with AD. [2] Studies [3,4] have shown that cognitively stimulating tasks can help Alzheimer's patients improve their cognitive function. There is a growing body of research investigating Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by cognitive decline, memory loss and impaired daily functioning. Cognitive-stimulating activities (CSAs) have been proposed as a non-pharmacological intervention to enhance cognitive function in AD patients by promoting neuroplasticity and cognitive reserve. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CSA on cognitive function in AD patients and identify predictors of cognitive improvement. Setting and Design: A randomised controlled trial was conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, India, involving 200 AD patients (aged ≥60 years, Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] score <24). Participants were randomly assigned to either a CSA group (n = 100) receiving guided storytelling sessions twice weekly or a standard care group (n = 100). Methods: Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and post-intervention using the MMSE and AD Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog). Regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of cognitive outcomes. Statistical Analysis Used: Independent t-tests, paired t-tests, Chi-square tests, multiple linear regression, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and binary logistic regression were employed. Results: The CSA group showed significant improvement in MMSE (baseline: 17.3 ± 3.6 vs. post-intervention: 20.4 ± 4.2, P < 0.001) and ADAS-Cog (25.4 ± 6.7 vs. 19.6 ± 5.3, P < 0.001) scores compared to the control group. Multiple linear regression identified CSA participation (β = 0.37, P < 0.001), higher education (β = 0.22, P < 0.001) and baseline cognitive scores (β =-0.56, P < 0.001) as significant predictors of final cognitive scores. ANCOVA revealed a significant interaction effect, demonstrating greater efficacy in patients with mild AD versus moderate AD (P < 0.05 for both scales). Logistic regression indicated that CSA participation increased the odds of achieving a clinically significant improvement by nearly sevenfold (odds ratio = 6.82, 95% confidence interval [3.06, 15.22], P < 0.001). Conclusion: CSAs significantly enhance cognitive function in AD patients, with education and baseline cognition playing key predictive roles. Incorporating CSA into AD care may offer therapeutic benefits in slowing cognitive decline.

As group analysts and analytical group psychotherapists, we seek to understand how therapeutic and/or nontherapeutic groups will generate, create and express themselves through different levels of communication and interpersonal relationships, as well as at the transpersonal level (group field), which are deeply influenced and interdependent on the different personal and group matrices. The author will share with you some of his reflections on neuroscientific and neuropsychoanalytic contributions and updates regarding the current understanding of the functioning of the Human Mind, contributing to a better understanding of how group processes impact Individual Minds and the interaction styles of group members, based on proposals and contributions from several authors in Neuro-Psychoanalysis and Groupanalysis. The group is nothing more than a sounding board and an amplification of interactions between Individual Minds supported by the intuitions, deductions and assessments that each of the group members exposes in verbal and nonverbal communications articulated with the individual capacities to feel, empathize, interact and, finally, to understand and recognize.

Conducted the 1st randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of the FRIENDS program, a family-based group cognitive-behavioral treatment (FGCBT) for anxious children. Children (n = 71) ranging from 6 to 10 years of age who fulfilled diagnostic criteria for separation anxiety (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or social phobia (SOP) were randomly allocated to FRIENDS or to a 10-week wait-list control group. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated at posttreatment and 12month follow-up. Results indicated that 69% of children who completed FGCBT were diagnosis-free, compared to 6% of children completing the wait-list condition. At 12month follow-up, 68% of children were diagnosis-free. Beneficial treatment effects were also evident on the self-report measures completed by the children and their mothers. Parents and children reported high treatment satisfaction. Results suggest that FRIENDS is an effective treatment for clinically anxious children. Limitations of this study and directions for future research are discussed.

This paper examines the connections and continuities of the idea of groups in Fanon's work as a mental health professional and as a professional revolutionary. The first part looks at Fanon's sociotherapeutic work at Blida-Joinville Psychiatric Hospital in colonial Algeria, including his critique of the failures of sociotherapy (which I prefer to call socio-psychotherapy), arguing that psychiatry must become political. The second part considers his analysis of the Algerian revolution, highlighting the radical changes in consciousness that it has engendered and the pitfalls it faced because 'consciousness needs help' and militants need enlightenment. The idea of group work-including everyone in discussion and breaking down the divisions between 'leaders' (experts) and the 'led'-is aimed at disalienation and enlightenment of individuals, whether in the clinic or in the shack settlement, and can be considered a fundamental element of Fanon's praxis.

In occupational therapy, crafts and groups are used as therapeutic tools, but their electrophysiological effects have not been well described. This study aimed to investigate the effects of group crafting on the physiological synchrony (PS) of dyadic heartbeats and on the autonomic activity and electroencephalogram (EEG) of individuals. In this cross-sectional study, individuals' EEG and dyadic electrocardiogram (ECG) were measured during the task in a variety of conditions. The three conditions were alone, parallel, nonparallel. Autonomic activity from the subjects' ECG, PS from the dyadic ECG, and current source density from exact Low Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography (eLORETA) from subjects' EEG were analyzed. Measurements from 30 healthy young adults showed that the parallel condition significantly increased subjects' parasympathetic activity and dyadic PS. Parallel condition and frontal midline theta influenced parasympathetic activity, whereas parasympathetic activity was not associated with PS. Dyadic lag value were correlated with frontal delta, beta, and gamma activity. The results suggest that crafting in parallel groups increases parasympathetic activity and PS through different mechanisms, despite the absence of direct interaction. They also explain the electrophysiological evidence for the use of crafts and groups in psychiatric occupational therapy, such as increased relaxation and PS.

Introduction: complicated grief can affect a large number of individuals who have lost a relative due to cancer. Objective: to assess the e cacy of a cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) for complicated grief in those who have lost a relative due to cancer in comparison with a psychoducational and emotional expression intervention (PSDEEI). Method: 249 relatives of deceased cancer patients with complicated grief were randomly assigned to treatment with CBGT or PSDEEI. Complicated Grief (ICG), depression (BDI-II), hopelessness (BHS), anxiety (BAI) symptoms and general health (GHQ28) were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up at 6 and 12 months. Results: the CBGT group improved signi cantly (p<0.001), with the scores in ICG, BDI-II, BAI, BSH, and GHQ28 (p<0.001) being higher than those for the PSDEEI group in each of the assessed moments, with high effect sizes: ICG (η 2 =0.16), BDI (η 2 =0.10), BAI (η 2 =0.06), BSH (η 2 =0.21) and GHQ28 (η 2 =0.21). At the 12-month follow-up, the number of cases of complicated grief decreased by 81.1% for the CBGT group vs. 31.7% in the PSDEEI group. Conclusions: The CBGT treatment is effective for complicated grief, for depression, anxiety, and hopelessness symptoms and for mental health, and is superior to PSDEEI treatment.

Hope therapy is one of the psychological interventions to help the couples deal with addiction problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the hope therapy on the orientation of the purpose and meaning of life expectancy in women with addicted husbands. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest, posttest control group. The population of this study included all wives of male addicted patients who referred to drug rehabilitation institutions in Tehran to treat their husbands' addiction in 2014. The sample size was 30 people. Convenience samplings were carried out to collect data. Data gathering were done by MLQ (Meaning of Life Questionnaire) and AGQ -Achievement Goal Questionnaire (goal orientation)-and analyzed by ANCOVA through SPSS software version 20. The findings showed that hope therapy increased the orientation of purpose and meaning of life scores in experimental group (P<0.001). While, these changes were not observed in control group. The results revealed that the hope therapy intervention could raise the psychological positive elements like goal setting and the meaning of life among wives of male addicted patients. Rehabilitation counselors and psychologists could apply these interventions to reduce the burden and disturbance of those who live with their addicted couples.

Borderline personality disorder is associated with deficits in personality functioning and mentalisation. In a randomised controlled trial 104 people with borderline personality disorder received either transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) or treatment by experienced community therapists. Among other outcome variables, mentalisation was assessed by means of the Reflective Functioning Scale (RF Scale). Findings revealed only significant improvements in reflective function in the TFP group within 1 year of treatment. The between-group effect was of medium size (d = 0.45). Improvements in reflective function were significantly correlated with improvements in personality organisation.

Edited by Diego Tapia Figueroa & Roberto Ricardi Costard
Organized by: TILAC (Taos Institute Latin America, Spain and Portugal Council)

Contributions from Social Constructionism: Relational-Dialogical Perspectives from Latin America is a polyphonic and interdisciplinary collection that brings together authors from diverse Latin American and Ibero-American contexts to explore contemporary relational, collaborative-dialogical, narrative, and generative practices grounded in social constructionism. The book offers situated reflections on care, dialogue, mental health, education, justice, community work, and social transformation, emphasizing relational ethics, plurality, and the co-construction of meaningful and socially responsive practices.

Organized into thematic sections, the volume includes contributions from therapists, researchers, educators, community practitioners, and interdisciplinary professionals working across different cultural, institutional, and social realities. The chapters address topics such as collaborative-dialogical practices, intersectionality, community mental health, family therapy, restorative and dialogical practices, psychological assessment, supervision and intervision, violence prevention, social participation, and transformative relational work. Alongside theoretical discussions, the book includes practice-based reflections, collective experiences, and locally situated approaches that highlight the diversity of voices and contexts shaping contemporary social constructionist practices in Latin America.

More than a regional compilation, this work is an invitation to rethink knowledge production, professional practice, and social participation through dialogue, relational responsibility, and collaborative meaning-making. It will be of interest to scholars, students, therapists, educators, health professionals, and community practitioners seeking plural, context-sensitive, and transformative approaches to human relationships and social life.