Support Groups for Mental Health Staff and Trainees

ABSTRACTStaff and trainees working in mental health settings frequently experience job-related stress. A number of stressors are described which affect physicians, nurses, social workers, and clinical psychologists. Since support groups are useful in stress management, a review was made of the literature dealing with such groups as they pertain to mental health staff and trainees. Based on this review, three types of support group are identified: system-oriented, long-term member-oriented, and short-term member-oriented. These are compared and evaluated, both descriptively and empirically. Important technical issues are discussed in terms of clarity of goals, leadership, and system and role orientation.