Abstract

DE LA HOZ-MARTINEZ, Ángela. Children in group psychotherapy: the group discourse of therapeutic play. Rev. Asoc. Esp. Neuropsiq. [online]. 2022, vol.42, n.142, pp.155-175.  Epub Feb 20, 2023. ISSN 2340-2733.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/s0211-57352022000200009.

Group psychotherapy in its different orientations and modalities has shown its usefulness to relieve and improve suffering of various kinds in different age ranges and psychopathological disorders. It represents a valuable exploratory, diagnostic and therapeutic instrument with a specific entity and its own specificity of intervention in the field of child mental health due to its preventive action for the mental health of future adults. The therapeutic potential of psychoanalytically oriented group psychotherapy with children is expanded with an active, creative, dynamic and therapeutic approach to play, whose therapeutic value is in turn enhanced by the therapeutic factors of group psychotherapy. It is proposed to extend the analysis of group discourse with the concept of group discourse of the game, a singular and unique discourse in each group that constitutes a central therapeutic axis in psychoanalytically oriented group psychotherapy with children who play. The implementation of group play psychotherapy requires theoretical bases on the technique of groups and play therapy with children, as well as a qualified training and the integration of knowledge, understanding and clinical experience of the therapist, to develop complex technical processes, essential in working with children in group psychotherapy.

Keywords : group psychotherapy; play psychotherapy; children in group psychotherapy; group discourse; group play discourse; public mental health services.

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