Group therapy in family medicine. Part 3: starting the group

This paper is the third in a four-part series and in it some issues and techniques pertaining to the pregroup screening interview are discussed as well as the initial meeting of a therapy group in a family practice setting. The screening interview enables patient and group therapists to decide whether or not the patient might benefit from group therapy. Topics covered in such an interview are discussed. Some ways of beginning and of ending the first session are described.