EGATIN (European Group-Analytic Training Institutes Network) took place this year in Austria-Vienna, with its usual “study-days”.

Besides cientific communications, this event included activities as the “small” and “large groups”, discussions about the different knowledges and experiences of each one from several countries and institutes, which was of great importance for the improvement and development of Group-Analytic Training.

As usual, Dra. Paula Carvalho (PGS member at the EGATIN) attended the EGATIN activities, but the invitation for each of you to be present at this great group analytic activity was acepted and some grupanalist and students of the Portuguese Group Analiysis Society went to this activity.

Bettina Fink

(Chair of local organizing committee)

Understanding clinical material in group analytic training and practice.

EGATIN Study Days Vienna, 16th-17th April 2010

Palais Clam Callas

Considering the trends and interests raised in recent EGATIN discussions we have taken up one specific matter which is “Understanding clinical material in group analytic training and practice”. We thought about what it comprises and how it could be discussed within the limited setting of our annual two day event. The theme includes two important aspects:

Firstly, the question of how we as group analysts make use of the clinical material we are confronted with in therapeutic sessions and in which way we can use it to enhance our understanding of a certain patient or group of patients. This question also concerns supervision, intervision, roleplays, and so on, and it seems necessary to allow for different theoretical approaches in this endeavour. How can we use group analysis for working with patients with diagnoses, like borderline or personality disorders, in order to cope with their specific difficulties?

Secondly, how do we use and deal with clinical material in training? Group analytic training, just like its practice, is far from being consistent within Europe. The discussions in the growing network of EGATIN and the preliminary results of the recent EGATIN survey (Valbak, Carvalho, Fink 2009) give evidence that trainings and training conditions within the various training institutes differ widely, even if all member Institutes fulfil the essential training standards of EGATIN.

Sometimes trainees have difficulties in formally graduating and starting their own group analytic practice, and in some countries even qualified group analysts have difficulties establishing groups. What are the reasons that make running analytic groups in one’s own practice so difficult?

Many patients ask for individual therapy and don’t trust the effectiveness of group therapy. The necessary motivation for undergoing group analytic treatment often has to be fostered and developed by the therapist beforehand.

Because of problems in starting an analytic group in private practice many trainees may try to set up groups in institutions. But they are not always met with a positive response and are not necessarily encouraged by senior colleagues. Group therapy may also be considered a second class treatment, for which a specific training may not necessarily required. In addition, other methods, like CBT or manualized treatments, are often preferred as they satisfy evidence-based practice and the criteria and economic needs of insurances companies.

Another problem trainees face are the difficult patients they have to treat. Most of them, at least in psychiatric departments, suffer from severe personality or psychotic disorders. Trainees are limited to a certain methodology, theory and technique, applicable mainly to the treatment of neurotic disorders. Specific modifications of setting, technique and theoretical models more effective with severe disorders may not necessarily be taught during training. So many trainees find themselves in a difficult situation, when dealing with these patients or with resistances and undermining attacks from the respective institutions.

At our next Study Days in Vienna we are interested in discussing different approaches to group analytic training and practice, which might provide useful answers to the needs of the trainees and group analysts in their clinical practice.

We hope that many trainees will actively participate in our Study Days. We plan to have a specific meeting with trainees and the EGATIN board to discuss the perspectives and needs of our trainees, the future generation of our group analytic community.

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