When I was doing DBT there was some confusion as to whether were were allowed to socialise outside group or not. The upshot was that Linehan considered it to be a mixed blessing... Having more friendships can be a good thing (and can help consolidate gains). But there was also the possibility of members falling out which could result in hostility / conflict in group.

In the end... That was precisely what happened. Two members became really very close and then they had a falling out. Group survived but it really was fairly unpleasant for the rest of us for a time. So I guess I understand either way. I suppose the notion is that it will be a bit safer to disclose in a safe environment. Not having contact with group members outside group is probably a fairly good way of keeping that safe environment.

One thing it might do... Is result in increased transference between group members. That might be one of the points behind no outside contact too. People usually develop some kind of transference relationship with their therapist... And in group people usually develop some kind of transference relationships with other group members too. Your therapist will get to observe some of those transferences between group members and that will give him more of an idea about each persons inter-personal style and the like. More grist for the individual mill...

Do you usually feel like you don't have a lot in common with other people?

(Just curious)

;-)

Sounds to me like a process group (with how the content of the discussion seems trivial but then the content of the discussion becomes the group interaction).

I've been trying to find an online process group... I know there used to be some... I'm not sure that there are any now (that I could join). I've found a couple that were associated with a graduate seminar in psychology - but you needed to be enrolled in the course to join and it was solely for the duration of the course. I was a member of a message board where one of the boards would sometimes focus on process issues (and that was really terrific)... But it would be great to get involved in a proper online process group methinks... I think this sounds great :-) I wonder if my t is a skills trainer for DBT? That could be good ;-) Not that DBT is really much of a process group though...

What a wonderful opportunity :-)