About Us
To promote and support Group Analysis……..
Please view the above video to learn how to navigate this website and for information about content.
Group Analysis explores the theory, practice and experience of analytical group psychotherapy, embracing concepts derived from psychoanalytic psychology, social psychology, group dynamics, sociology and anthropology.
This site displays information about the Group Analytic Society, it’s activities, publications, and preoccupations. You will find rich material here: the Newsletter of the Society, Group Analytic Contexts, publishes original articles and is available for download on this site; our journal Group Analysis has a link on the Publications Page; our past and forthcoming events are listed; as are links to other relevant group psychotherapy websites; and there is much more. Please explore and let us know what you think.
At the heart of Group Analysis is the idea that human beings are fundamentally social beings, whose lives are inextricably linked with other people in manifold ways. The source of personal puzzles that are difficult or impossible to resolve, or behaviours or motives that are difficult to understand, which individuals may encounter in their personal lives and at work, are to be found not only in the dynamics of the groupings that they inhabit in the present, but also in the groups in which all of us are rooted, across time and throughout our development. These groupings include the family, friendship groups, schools and so on. On the basis of this S.H Foulkes, the founder of group analysis, reasoned that as one’s difficulties arise in groups, then these difficulties are best explored, understood and changed specifically in a group context. Foulkes, in the 1950s, proposed that there is no such thing as an individual that exists apart from and outside the social (Foulkes, 1948; Foulkes & Anthony, 1957).
The Group Analytic Model
Groups may be “birthed” and begin with a relatively high level of leadership activity, referred to as dynamic administration. This approach integrates important aspects of group as a whole and individually-oriented models. The conductor (therapist) is encouraged to address individuals as well as the whole group. This concept is developed by an integrated set of concepts of structure, process and outcome.
The initial stage of the group:
A later stage of the group:
The Group-Analytic Society International
was established in 1952 by S.H. Foulkes (SHF), Elizabeth Marx (ETF), Dr. James Anthony, Dr Patrick De Mare, W. H. R. Iliffe, Mrs M. L. J. Abercrombie and Dr Norbert Elias as a learned society to study and promote the development of Group Analysis in both its clinical and applied aspects. Its objectives were to formalise the arrangements for co-operation and discussion which already existed between them; to provide a focus for the teaching and training in group analysis which they were undertaking separately in various teaching hospitals; to stimulate research and publication; and to create a centre for scientific meetings and workshops. S.H. Foulkes was President of GAS until 1970. Elizabeth Foulkes, his wife, was Honorary Administrative Secretary of GAS from its early days, and was later Membership Secretary and Vice-President and a Trustee of the Trust for Group Analysis.
In 1971 the Society delegated responsibility for training and qualifications in group analysis to the Institute of Group Analysis (IGA) while the Trust for Group Analysis (TGA), a charitable body, was formed to handle the finances of GAS, the IGA and the Society’s journal. This was dissolved in 1981 and GAS and IGA became registered charities in their own right.
The first regular weekly seminars were given by Foulkes in 1952. Members of the Society come from different countries and from many fields and disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, sociology, medicine, nursing, social work, counselling, education, industry, forensic and prison services, management and organisational consultancy, architecture, anthropology and the clergy. The Society, which has charitable status (Charity Registration Number: 281387) is a learned society and non-profit organization, holds regular scientific meetings and organizes various workshops, including an annual one currently held in the Autumn. A triennial European symposium is held at various European locations. An annual S. H. Foulkes lecture for a wider public has been held in London since 1977 and the lectures are published in the journal of the Society. Past issues of Group Analytic Contexts, the Newsletter of the Society, are available in full from the Publications page of this site.
More detailed background material may be found in: Jeff Roberts and Malcolm Pines (eds), The Practice of Group Analysis, 1991; and Malcolm Pines (ed), The Evolution of Group Analysis, 1983.
Historical Background
1933 SHF comes to England.
1940 SHF conducts groups in Exeter.
1942 SHF joins Royal Army Medical Corps and introduces group methods at Northfield Military Hospital; meets James Anthony, Patrick de Maré and Martin James.
1946-1950 While in private practice in London SHF meets regularly with a group of colleagues interested in group psychotherapy.
1948 International Congress of Mental Health, London.
1948-9 Unsuccessful attempts to establish a centre for group psychotherapy under the NHS.
SHF makes an application to the Maudsley Hospital to run a group psychotherapy unit there but is turned down.
1950 The group adopts a more planned approach for its activities of teaching, study, publication and treatment and takes the name of Group-Analytic (Research) Centre.
1951 SHF takes consulting rooms at 22 Upper Wimpole Street which also accommodate a centre for group analysis.
1951-1952 SHF conducts weekly training seminars in group-analysis and regular Monday meetings.
1952 Inaugural meeting of the Group-Analytic Society.
Continuation of regular series of Monday meetings as scientific meetings of the Society.
Society begins to hold study courses for those wishing to join and advanced seminars and workshops for full members.
1952-1970 SHF President of GAS.
1955 Membership extended and invitations to apply sent to qualified people.
1960 SHF and ETM marry.
Group Analytic Practice moves to 66 Montagu Mansions with the exception of SHF.
1964 General Course in Group Work established.
1965 Course in group work organised for the Association of Psychiatric Workers.
1966 Group Analytic Practice including SHF moves to 88 Montagu Mansions.
1967 Group Analysis (International Panel and Correspondence) (GAIPAC) founded; SHF is editor (1967-1975) and financial sponsor (1967-1970).
Embryo Institute of Group Analysis formed with a Training Committee to organise introductory courses in group work.
1969 International Council of Group Psychotherapy established.
Society’s introductory courses recognised by the Ministry of Health.
1970 First European Symposium, Estoril.
1970-1 Society delegates responsibility for training and qualifications in group analysis to the IGA and a charitable body, the Trust for Group Analysis (TGA), is established to handle the finances of GAS and IGA.
GAIPAC (Group Analysis International Panel and Correspondence) is produced and published by the TGA on behalf of GAS and IGA.
1971-2 IGA establishes qualifying course in group analysis leading to a recognised professional qualification.
European Symposium, London.
European Co-ordination Committee formed.
1973 First January Workshop.
International Committee of Group Psychotherapy formed.
1973-83 Practice shares premises with IGA at 1 Bickenhall Mansions.
1974 European Symposium, Amsterdam.
1975 International Colloquium, London.
Major fund-raising effort.
GAS Jubilee celebrations
1976 Death of SHF.
ETF appointed Trustee of TGA.
Institute of Family Therapy established by those who had run IGA family and marital therapy courses.
1977 First Annual Foulkes Lecture.
1978 European Symposium, Stockholm.
GAS sponsors first of a series of workshops in Israel.
1978 Joint Research Committee of the Society and Institute established to co-ordinate research projects.
1981 TGA is dissolved by order of the Charity Commissioners; GAS and IGA become charities in their own right.
European Symposium, Rome.
Self psychology and Group Analysis Workshop
1982 Journal changes its format and becomes known as Group Analysis: the Journal of Group-Analytic Psychotherapy.
1982-3 Major fund-raising effort for new premises.
1983 Ceases to be obligatory for IGA members to also be members of GAS; category of overseas member abolished; beginning of composite May week-end comprising AGM, Foulkes lecture, scientific meeting and large group event.
A less formal bulletin of international correspondence is instituted with ETF as editor.
European Working party formed.
IGA and GAS move to 1 Daleham Gardens.
1984 European Symposium, Zagreb.
First Manchester workshop.
1987 Committee of GAS decides to establish an archive.
European Symposium, Oxford.
1989 2nd European Meeting on Group Analysis, Athens
1992 IGA 25th Anniversary Symposium
