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Many Hands Make Light Work: Group Therapy on College Campuses Is Efficient, Effective, Enticing, and Essential

Authors :
Travis J. Pashak
Sophia M. Bradley
Emma J. Trierweiler
Source :
Journal of College Student Mental Health. 2024 38(1):185-206.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

College and university counseling centers are facing increasing demand for services, increasing severity of psychopathology, and decreasing funding -- thus college counseling is a strained system. Group psychotherapy is a flexible and impactful treatment format which addresses these challenges and suits the population well. We review literature on group counseling in higher education and present four studies examining its appropriateness. Study 1 is a mathematical proof showing group therapy is "efficient." Studies 2 and 3 are archival survey data analyses of client feedback and student interest, showing group therapy is "effective" and "enticing." Study 4 is an analysis of clinic staffing data showing group therapy is "essential." Three recommendations are offered to counseling center staff and directors: design groups with a focus on ethics and appealing structure, promote groups both to prospective clients and within staff (i.e., "why not group?"), and apply affective process-dimension clinical skills in group delivery.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
8756-8225 and 1540-4730
Volume :
38
Issue :
1
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
Journal of College Student Mental Health
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1420179
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/87568225.2022.2155600