A review of the literature on group psychotherapy revealed a wide divergence in orientation, goals, techniques and methods of reporting. In an attempt to clarify this situation the authors have developed a schema of pertinent major categories: therapist's frame of reference, therapeutic aims and goals, patient population treated, rôle of therapist, the group management of meetings, and appraisal of results. The reports of fifteen investigators representing different therapeutic approaches were analyzed and presented. The authors hope that a clarification of terms may help in the process of understanding the dynamics of group psychotherapy.