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The similarities between long- and short-term modern analytic group therapy are considerably greater than their differences. Their are, however, a number of concepts and techniques specifically suited to the short-term group that will help the therapist attain optimal progress during the time alloted. It is important to remember that in both long- and short-term modern analytic group therapy the basic goal remains the understaning of transference phenomena and the resolution of resistances that impede positive interpersonal communication.
My experience over the years in teaching psychology and group dynamics classses at the college level has helped me to evolve, first, a way of making the academic classroom experience a therapeutic one (Kirman, 1977), and then a way of making the experience into actual short-term group therapy within the college semester. In addition, a number of short-term therapy groups concducted in a clinical setting have helped me to crystallize and generalize basic concepts relating to the short-term group experience.
Historically, the early work with groups either had limited goals, as in Pratt's (1907) tubercular patients where the groups were an adjunct to medical managment, or the groups themselves were slated for a brief period of time. The idea of long-term, ongoing group therapy took some time to evolve.
It was alfred Adler (1930), somewhat later, who saw the value of groups for educational purposes. He gave demonstrations of counseling students while teachers, social workers and doctors observed the process—not quite group therapy, but the beginnings of recognition that learning can be enhanced by socal interaction.