Curative Factors of Group Therapy

Factor	Definition
Instilling of hope	Imbuing the client with optimism for the success of the group therapy experience.
Universality	Disconfirming the client’s sense of aloneness or uniqueness in misery or hurt.
Imparting of information	Giving didactic instruction, advice, or suggestions.
Altruism	Finding that the client can be of importance to others; having something of value to give.
Corrective recapitulation of the primary family group	Reviewing and correctively reliving early familial conflicts and growth-inhibiting relationships.
Development of socializing techniques	Acquiring sophisticated social skills, such as being attuned to process, resolving conflicts, and being facilitative toward others.
Imitative behavior	Trying out bits and pieces of the behavior of others and experimenting with those that fit well.
Interpersonal learning	Learning that the client is the author of his or her interpersonal world and moving to alter it.
Group cohesiveness	Being attracted to the group and the other members with a sense of “we”-ness rather than “I”-ness.
Catharsis	Being able to express feelings.
Existential factors	Being able to “be” with others; to be a part of a group.