Supportive-expressive group therapy: the transformation of existential ambivalence into creative living while enhancing adherence to anti-cancer therapies

Psycho-oncology
David KissaneGraeme C Smith

Abstract

Supportive-Expressive Group Therapy (SEGT) has been developed and manualised in the research setting, but there have been few clinical accounts of its utility. In this qualitative review of its application in the Melbourne-based randomised control trial (RCT) for women with advanced breast cancer, SEGT is considered from the perspective of the structure and framework of therapy, its therapists, the issues that develop in exploring its common themes and what constitutes a well functioning group. Groups move through identifiable developmental phases. The mature group process transforms existential ambivalence into creative living, evidenced by humour, celebration, assertiveness, altruism, new creative pursuits and eventually courageous acceptance of dying. Challenges and pitfalls include avoidance, non-containment of ambivalence, intolerance of difference, anti-group phenomena and splitting. A key element is the medicalization of the group culture whereby members and co-therapists explore health beliefs and attitudes about care. This promotes compliance with anti-cancer treatments, including both the initiation of and perseverance with chemotherapy. This mechanism could prove to be a potentially important pathway in promoting lon...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 12, 2011·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Rachel D ZordanDavid Kissane
Jun 15, 2011·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·JiYeon ChoiBarbara A Given
Jun 5, 2007·The Australian Journal of Rural Health·David M Clarke
Jul 23, 2013·Health and Quality of Life Outcomes·Zhen GuoWei Jiang
Sep 27, 2006·Canadian Journal on Aging = La Revue Canadienne Du Vieillissement·Roger E ThomasSam Sheps
Oct 20, 2005·International Journal of Group Psychotherapy·Thomas R Large
Jul 2, 2010·International Journal of Group Psychotherapy·Lauren M WalkerJohn W Robinson
Nov 11, 2005·Psychological Reports·Oddgeir FriborgJan H Rosenvinge
Sep 21, 2006·Psycho-oncology·Benjamin H Gottlieb, Elizabeth D Wachala
Apr 3, 2016·Journal of Negative Results in Biomedicine·Flavio D'AbramoCecilia Guastadisegni
Jan 11, 2014·Social Work in Health Care·Susan R Glaser, Richard Glassman
Jun 3, 2016·European Journal of Cancer Care·E J M PearsonC E McKinstry
Oct 28, 2016·Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·Rainbow T H HoCecilia L W Chan
Dec 6, 2016·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Anthony Grech, Adam Marks
Feb 13, 2010·Integrative Cancer Therapies·Jeremy R Geffen
Nov 22, 2011·Journal of Health Psychology·Sophie LelorainAngélique Bonnaud-Antignac
Jun 17, 2011·The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·Bridget CandyMichael King
Jul 6, 2018·Frontiers in Psychology·Lisa M Linge-DahlLukas Radbruch
Aug 4, 2018·Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care·Nicholas J Hulbert-WilliamsHaryana M Dhillon
Jun 15, 2011·Integrative Cancer Therapies·Brian D LawendaPaul J Mills

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