Topic: Group Therapy: A Different Approach

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy during which one or several therapists treat a small group of clients together as a group. This may be more cost effective than individual therapy, and possibly even more effective.

In group therapy the interactions between the members of the group and the therapists become the material with which the therapy is conducted, alongside past experiences and experiences outside the therapeutic group.

Group therapy may also include other therapeutic forms than "talk" therapy, such as creative therapy. Group therapy is not based on a single psychotherapeutic theory, but takes from many what works.

(source: wikipedia.com)

Guest: Steven Isaacman

Steven Isaacman, MA, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC29803) has been in private practice in the Los Angeles area since 1990.

Steven graduated from Phillips Graduate Institute in 1990 and has since taken a number of continuing ed classes at LAISPS combining the PGI family systems orientation with a psychoanalytic base.

One particular area of interest is the facilitation of ongoing process groups for gay men. These groups are a microcosm for social learning, for giving and receiving feedback, and for utilizing awareness gained in individual therapy. Working with couples is another area of interest.

Since becoming licensed in July 1992, Steven has been a volunteer supervisor for interns working at The LA Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center and has employed interns in his private practice as well. He has worked at several area hospitals facilitating groups for inpatients and partial hospital programs.

Steven is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, the Lesbian and Gay Psychotherapy Association and The Group Psychotherapy Association of Southern California.