67th Annual Conference

Friday, February 26

Session 308

Affect in Groups: A View through Different Lenses

Chair: 

Elliot Zeisel, Ph.D., LCSW, CGP, FAGPA, Private Practice, New York, New York

Panelists:           

Stewart Aledort, M.D., CGP, FAGPA, Private Practice, Washington, DC

Sara J. Emerson, LICSW, CGP, FAGPA, Private Practice, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Philip Flores, Ph.D., ABPP, CGP, LFAGPA, Private Practice, Marietta Georgia

The manner in which the leader views, encourages and works with affect and affectively laden material in groups depends on their theoretical orientation. After observing a demonstration group, the panelists and the participants will discuss the management of affect in the group from four theoretical positions: Relational, Attachment, Modern Analytic, and the Omnipotent Child Theory.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to distinguish between attachment theory, relational theory, modern analytic technique and the theory of the omnipotent child.

Participants will understand various ways in which affect is manifest in groups and recognized by the group leader.

Participants will examine the leaders role in addressing and emphasizing affective exchanges and interactions in the group process.

Course References:

Flores, P. (2004).  Addiction as an attachment disorder. New York: Jason Aronson Press.

Aledort, S. (2002). The omnipotent child syndrome: The role of passionately held bad fits in the formation of identity, International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 52,67-89.

Wright, F. (2005). Valuing Enactments in group therapy: Discussion of three case studies. Group, 29, 399-406.