Facilitating successful group therapy is a delicate balancing act—and without the proper preparation, it can easily go awry. Keeping group members engaged, interspersing psychoeducation where appropriate, and managing cross-communication are just a few of the pressing issues that effective leaders must understand. In this comprehensive video, Drs. Ed Jacobs and Christine Schimmel demonstrate these skills and more as they co-facilitate a counseling group for eight women. Using a variety of interventions and techniques, these seasoned clinicians provide an insightful look at the key elements of this approach.

You’ll observe the group move through three distinct phases as the women work collaboratively on a wide range of issues including divorce, addiction, anxiety, and parenting. Jacobs and Schimmel invite members to support one another through reflection, role-play, and crosstalk, while modeling many techniques themselves and providing thoughtful activities to keep everyone engaged and focused. Voice-over commentary breaks down these skills even further, so that viewers can identify them as they’re presented.

The importance of having a variety of theoretical approaches to group therapy is stressed, and you’ll watch Jacobs and Schimmel integrate tools from Adlerian, Gestalt, Transactional Analysis and Rational Emotive Therapy into their work. Interventions abound here, and you’ll find a host of ideas to stimulate your thinking about group dynamics, deepening and shifting focus, the use of props and handouts, and teaching concepts and ideas.

By the end, the women are clearly moved, expressing new hope about their lives, gratitude for a shared experience of camaraderie, and an increased sense of self-confidence. Regardless of your theoretical orientation, if you’re interested in different approaches to group work with adults, you’ll find this video invaluable.