Journal of Mental Science (1948) 94: 77-88. doi: 10.1192/bjp.94.394.77
© 1948 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Some Observations on the Analytical Group Treatment of a Phobic Patient

F. Kräupl, M.D., D.P.M.

Netherne Hospital, Coulsdon, Surrey

ABSTRACT

The effects of analytical group treatment in a phobic patient are described.

The psychosexual constitution of the patient and his response to the group were unusually transparent. He showed marked anal-erotic, sado-masochistic, and hi-sexual trends with repressed passive homo-erotic impulses.

The result of group treatment was mainly limited to a correction of irrational social fears through the reduction of guilt feelings and the gradual acceptance of his passive-feminine and masochistic leanings.

The therapeutic factors responsible for these results are discussed. The group is regarded as a social reality which can relieve guilt feelings through reassuring influences. More fundamental personality changes are produced through corrective emotional experiences. These are not transference phenomena in the narrow sense as they are adequate to the actual environment. The stimulation of exhibitionistic and homo-erotic drives in a completely male group is emphasized, and the therapeutic value of this stimulation is discussed with reference to the particular psychosexual constitution shown by the patient.

The therapeutic range of group psychotherapy seems to be determined, apart from individual factors, by the group setting as such, and the special circumstances of group composition. Research with groups of different com positions is suggested to widen the range of possible corrective emotional responses.

Received for publication September 17, 1947.