Understanding content and process: guidelines for group leaders.

PURPOSE: To discuss basic concepts of group therapy as a treatment modality.

CONCLUSIONS: The psychiatric nurse group leader uses concepts of content and process at his/her disposal as powerful tools of change, adaptation, and recovery.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Group therapy is a common modality in treating mental disorders that is both evidence based and cost-effective. Group therapy is practiced in inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and residential treatment facilities. Because of their understanding of the bio-psycho-social origin of mental illness, psychiatric nurses are uniquely prepared to assist in many roles as facilitators of change.