I had to read this for school. I really liked Yalom's sense of humor. He's a good writer and a gifted clinician.

Definitely a must have for any budding counselor. I can't argue with Yalom's ideas and thoughts on the subject. What I can't stand is Yalom's extreme narcissism that shines right through despite the fact that this is somewhat of a textbook. References to his other works come off as advertisements, and what warmth he created for group therapy (a wonderful thing in and of itself) he degrades with his own unintentional tone. But many people disagree.

A classic. Before reading this book, the idea of group therapy was deeply unappealing to me. Now, I am intrigued by (if not completely sold on) the potential of groups to provide insights and healing that one-on-one therapy alone can't. Readers will also learn some basic things about group dynamics that can apply to all collective/communal experiences. Yalom is not only an insightful clinician, he is a wonderful writer.

I don't usually review my school/work-related books, but I was just reflecting on this one (read several years back) and thought I would make a note that it really is quite good, and is worth the read for anyone who's vocation requires some adroitness with interpersonal group dynamics.

This was the text used for my master's level group therapy course at an Ivy League Univ. Overall, Yalom is insightful and provides a solid foundation of how to facilitate and process groups, however, it is far too lengthy and overdone. This book is traditionally Yalom, as in he writes continuously when the context could have been so much more concise and digestible. I took away appropriate knowledge, but truly despised the form in which it was written.

An incredibly comprehensive textbook that reads like a novel. If you're not sold on group therapy, let Yalom convince you it's the best you can do for your clients or for yourself as a client. Glad I bought my own copy instead of renting because I will come back to it.

I genuinely enjoyed reading this for my Group Therapy class, so much so that I bought the newest edition for myself to keep. It’s a wonderful feeling and probably a good sign for my career that this book has inspired me to read more literature on the subject of therapy, and has reignited the excitement in me to begin this line of work. Yay therapy!

Yalom came into my life just as I started serving as the sole therapist for two groups of child sex offenders. To put it mildly, some sage advice on being a group therapist was sorely needed. This volume is a must-read (yes, all bajillion pages of it) for anyone doing group work, which is the majority of folks in doctoral psychology programs. Yalom's tone is approachable, his sense of humor much appreciated, and his clinical wisdom boundless. I tend to think of books this hefty as in need of goo...

I enjoy Yalom's writing style and the personal examples and stories he includes. This book is an essential resource to any therapist who wants to lead therapeutic groups. A therapeutic group acts as a social microcosm and can lead to individual change as group members relate and challenge one another. Yalom's book delves into the topic of groups as well as ways to structure, lead and troubleshoot these therapeutic communities.

Holy crap, I finished this. Several things come to mind as I slowly digested this book.First, how the heck did he get his patients to stay in groups long enough to deal with all these interpersonal issues? I think most clients would get fed up with "that annoying person in group" and just leave. Second, how the heck does he deal with all the members' issues with authority? That being said, I did use a little bit of insight each time in my own work, so it was definitely worth the reading.

I am still working on getting through this and am enjoying it immensely. Yet at times it is not clear who the audience is (a beginner psychotherapist or an intermediate psychotherapist or an advanced practitioner?). At times I believe it could have been simplified or perhaps changed into two separate books for separate audiences, one at a basic level and one at an advanced level. At the same time it contains a wealth of information, research findings and practical guidance about how to run a psy...

Although Yalom is the guru of group therapy, I did not find the book to be particularly helpful. It comes from a very psychodynamic orientation, and although the author mentions other orientations or discusses how certain concepts are understood across the different orientations, readers should be aware that the book addresses how to conduct process group therapy. So if that is your aim, this is the book for you. However, I found it far less applicable for use in more structured groups (e.g., su...

It’s a good book. But let’s be honest it’s a _dense_ book. I’ve read it twice now approximately 12 years between readings, once as a grad student and once most recently as an adjunct, and the verbosity remains as true today as the day I first picked it up. Despite being published in 2005 the book is still applicable to the field and is a great resource

THE group therapy book. There is really nothing else to say but this laid the groundwork for the basics while support my clinical experience in the group setting. Yalom's stages of group development work with all sorts of groups, not just therapy groups. So after reading this book and applying it in a clinical setting I feel more equip to run therapy and report on group activity!

Fantastic! Highly recommended as a comprehensive text on the subject. Only complaints: too much on existential psychotherapy (anyway, better to see his other text by the same title), and not enough on characterologically difficult clients.

Wow! I can't believe I made it through the whole thing! This is a real tour de force. Such a comprehensive book on so many aspects of group therapy. I'm not planning to ever lead a therapy group but Yalom's analysis of group dynamics is just so endlessly fascinating and so enlightening. I found so much to relate to and think about, regarding myself and others in group dynamics.There were times, don't get me wrong, when I wished that his editor had reigned him in a bit. And some words I had to lo...

I appreciated this book(: Gotta have patience due to it's length, but I feel so much better equipped to lead groups in part because of this book. Definitely had an attitude change after the first few chapters of my initial dread.

This book made me want to do group therapy, both as a participant and as a therapist.

I used this book when I was a graduate student in the counseling psychology program back in the day, I have the third edition. Bar none, the best text book/ case book about group therapy ever written. I would read this book, out of personal interest and pleasure, regardless of whether it was part of a curriculum. Yalom is a humble and incredibly articulate man, he doesn't act omnipotent and writes in plain and understandable language. Do believe he's a Professor Emeritus from Stanford. He is ope...

Required reading during graduate school. Didn't really care for it then and still don't but it does serve as an excellent source for facilitating my students' awareness of Dr. Yalom's existential approach to groups. Probably quite a bit longer than it needs to be to adequately address the topic.