Group psychotherapy — structured clinical viva

Markers want a consultant-level account of group as a treatment format with multiple models, sound selection and frame, therapeutic factors/cohesion, fair multi-disorder evidence (including format equivalence), and honest limited confidentiality — not a romantic claim that any circle of chairs is therapy.[2][1][3]

Professionally led, planned multiperson psychological treatment that uses interpersonal processes and/or multiperson protocols for change; distinct from peer support and from unstructured meetings labelled therapy.[3][7]

Process/interpersonal — social microcosm and feedback; CBT/CBGT — cognitive change, experiments, exposure; skills (DBT) — skill acquisition/generalisation within a multi-mode package; MBT multiperson/day hospital — mentalising under multiperson arousal; psychoeducation — illness model and self-management.[6][5][4]

List several factors (universality, hope, altruism, interpersonal learning, cohesiveness, catharsis, etc.). Cohesion is the group bond/engagement construct with meta-analytic links to outcome; build it early through norms, engagement, and safe leadership.[7][1]

Acute mania, high immediate suicide plan needing containment, florid unengageable paranoia, severe intoxication, active IPV perpetration needing individual risk work first, inability to accept limited confidentiality. Structured psychosocial groups may still help selected stable psychotic-spectrum patients as adjuncts — do not use a blanket ban as a substitute for formulation.[3]

Format equivalence meta-analysis (group ≈ individual when matched).[2] Cohesion meta-analysis.[1] Depression community groups and group CBT; CBT delivery formats network including group.[3] SAD group meta-analysis.[4] DBT multiperson skills within comprehensive package; MBT partial hospitalisation RCT lineage.[6][5]

"We treat what you share with clinical care and privacy, but other members are not bound by professional codes the way I am. I still have the same safety duties as in individual clinic — if there is serious risk to you or someone else, I act. We set rules about not gossiping; we cannot guarantee perfect privacy." Collaborative, non-catastrophising tone; offer pre-group individual session to reduce humiliation fears.[3][7]