Focusing on Emotion in Group Therapy: What Clients, What Problems, and What for
The problems discussed by the clients in three cognitive-behavioral (problem-solving emphasis) therapy groups of 16-week duration were classified by the therapists as (1) problems of inadequate or inappropriate emotional experience, (2) problems of inadequate or inappropriate emotional expression, or (3) other. Employing diagnoses made by therapists not involved in the present study, having a problem involving inadequate emotional experience was significantly associated with the client also having an Axis II personality diagnosis, while having problems involving inadequate emotional expression was not associated with such a diagnosis. Also, when rated by outsiders, the 16-week group experience helped significantly more with problems of inadequate emotional expression than with those involving inadequate emotional experience.