Major Themes in Brief Inpatient Group Psychotherapy

Abstract

Several major themes expressed in short-term inpatient group psychotherapy are examined in relation to therapeutic goals frequently cited in the literature. Themes emerging from the inpatient group were: boundary setting, composition, cohesion, problem solving, generalization of group skills to the outside world, and expression of affect. The impact of screening, protecting group integrity on the unit, and voluntary participation were issues of particular interest to short term inpatient groups.