SOME ASPECTS OF GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHODRAMA USED IN A MODERN RELIGIOUS CULT

Abstract

In late 1967 there arrived in New Orleans a most unusual group whose function was, they said, psychotherapy and religion. They called themselves "the process," purporting a dynamic and evolving system of thought. Their ostensible goal was to promote interpersonal contacts and self examination among their followers, with the promise that this would ultimately lead to discoveries of new religious truths.We as psychotherapists are interested in the kinds of relationships that alter behavior and thought and should be aware that conventional psychotherapy is not the only process that is effective in doing this (1). It was, therefore, decided to study this group with particular attention to techniques that are similar to or different from the psychotherapy process, and to the kinds of alteration of behavior that are sought and that are achieved.