Abstract

How, when and how much to interfere in a group process? How to choose constructive interventions which encourage and create, not inhibit, a group process? Those are very often the dilemmas beginner group analysts have to confront with. Working in a here-and-now situation, using therapeutic techniques such as confrontation, clarification, interpretation, and affirmation are crucial for good therapeutic practice. It is very important to adapt our interventions concerning developmental stages of the group (initial stage, conflict and dominance stage, cohesive stage, mature stage), and also to recognize the necessity for emergency interventions. This case report presents five setting parts of the 3.5-year-old group in the conflict and dominance developmental stage. Comments of process and interpretations are particularly emphasized and critically reviewed. Importance of timely and constructive interventions is elaborated in the discussion part of the article. In conclusion, good connection of psychoanalytic theory, quality supervision, and psychotherapeutic sensibility are the key to efficient group psychotherapeutic practice. Timely and constructive interventions are the most important part of that process.