Academic training in group psychotherapy in clinical psychology doctoral programs

We surveyed 185 clinical psychology doctoral programs accredited by the American Psychological Association to examine whether and how group psychotherapy was taught. While respondents of all Psy.D: programs to the survey offered a course in group psychotherapy, less than one-third of Ph.D. programs offered one. Among programs that offered a course in group psychotherapy, less than half required that students take it. Most instructors had an in-class experiential component, focused either primarily or exclusively on outpatient therapy and used Yalom's interpersonal approach. Discussion focused on the importance of making group psychotherapy a higher priority and the suggestion that courses include a variety of theoretical approaches and important specialty groups such as psychiatric inpatients.