Co-Therapy Relationships in Groups

While there is growing agreement on the value of co-therapy relationships in groups, there is also ample recognition of major pitfalls and interferences which can arise (Rosenbaum, 1971; Yalom, 1970). Theoretical literature is still generally rather sparse and at the relatively embryonic stage of clinicians describing pros and cons of their co-therapy experiences (Hulse et al., 1956; Adler and Berman, 1960; Gans, 1962; MacLennan, 1965). There has been virtually no systematic writing on the group dynamics of co-therapy relationships and the use of such a perspective by therapists to further specific learning around which the group may have been formed. Rosenbaum ( 1971) and Yalom (1970) both have relatively complete and current reviews and statements on the co-therapy literature. Perhaps the most agreed upon model for such work is the transference simulation of the family for individual patients, particularly when opposite-sex co-therapists are involved. The rationale is that co-therapy permits the patients to identify with a therapist of the same sex and to clarify problems with a therapist of the opposite sex (Rosenbaum, 1971: 503). Often an implication of the current writing is the view that processes occur at a relatively highly developed family dynamics level of identification and