What is it about?
Despite the substantial evidence that group therapy is effective many individuals are reluctant to join groups while clinicians are reluctant to refer to them or lead one themselves. This article investigates obstacles to greater participation in group therapy. The focus is primarily on the deeply personal elements of this hesitation for potential group members which include the desire for individual attention, social anxiety, the fear of anger from other group members, and the dread of experiencing shame or humiliation. Clinicians, as well, are reluctant to lead groups for which they feel insufficiently trained and more likely to experience inadequacy, shame, and humiliation. These obstacles to participation are often driven by powerful transference and countertransference components.