Activity group therapy

Domain I · Psychodynamic & depth psychology · S. R. Slavson · 1943 · New York

What it is

AGT is a non-interpretive group treatment for children of latency age, roughly 8 to 12. About eight children of the same sex and similar age meet in a room stocked with craft materials, tools and games. The session ends with shared refreshments. The therapist starts no discussion and almost never…

Format

• Format

Questions to explore with your client

• What drew you to it, and what are you hoping it will change?
• Does it involve fasting, a special diet or 'detox'? Have you discussed this with your doctor?
• Is it a group, retreat or community? How do they respond if someone wants to leave or raises a concern?
• Does it use a device, heat, cold, water or a physical procedure? Has a medical professional checked that it is safe for you?
• Who runs it, and what training or registration do they hold?
• What actually happens in a session or meeting, and how often?
• What does it cost, and is there pressure to commit to more?
• How do you feel afterwards, in the hours and days that follow?
• Does it fit with, or clash with, the work we do here?

What practitioners of it watch for

• Lingering and testing at the door that lessens over the weeks.
• A group that cannot regain balance after conflict. This suggests a composition error.
• The group singling out the child as the adult's favourite. Pull back visible support if that happens.
• Regression as the ending gets close. This is expected. Hold the stance and do not extend reflexively.
• Worker turnover, which disrupted one case, and the child playing the two workers off against each other.

When to involve someone else

• New or worsening physical symptoms, or advice to stop or change prescribed medication: involve the client's doctor or prescriber.
• Signs of coercion, isolation from family and friends, escalating costs or secrecy: discuss openly and consider safeguarding.
• A crisis or thoughts of suicide: follow your crisis protocol. In the US, call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans on 116 123.

Drawn automatically from the guide's own sections. Stay curious: neither endorse nor dismiss what the client values, and check anything that matters against the full guide and its sources. Not medical advice.