Yalom Chapter 1 Summary

What are some common group problems that Yalom (2005) discusses in Chapter 10?

Some of the common group problems that Yalom discuss are perceived goal incompatibility, high turnover, the lack of immediate comfort, and subgrouping and extragroup socialization (Yalom, 2005). According to Yalom (2005), perceived goal incompatibility is an early source of discouragement for clients when they first begin group therapy. Sometimes in group sessions, people have the same goals in mind; however, they may perceive the steps to achieve the goal differently. High turnover rate in a group is also another common problem. Throughout Yalom’s book, he discusses the importance of creating norms in efforts to make group members feel safe. It is important to develop an attendance policy. If members are present for group and turnover rates are at a minimum this may allow group members may experience cohesiveness and realize the value of the group. The lack of immediate comfort has been a common problem in groups because clients who enter group therapy are usually anxious to resolve their problems, and when working with a group there is limited time; therefore, the client may not feel the group therapy will be beneficial to them. Subgrouping and extragroup socialization

If the turnover rate is kept at a minimum, clients are more likely to feel a connection with other members of the group, and will feel that therapy is more effective. For example, I sing in the choir at church and when mostly everyone is present for rehearsal, I notice a sense of cohesiveness we form as a group of youth and young adults; however, when we are missing a great deal of choir members, I have personally felt that the group was not as important to those who were constantly not present and it has made me feel like leaving the