While I wasn't a fan of some of the language used in this reading (the first sentence specifically and also hello to the use of the word queer as weird, I guess), a lot of it was really interesting to me. I had to work through some issues of boundaries/use of self in group therapy this year, and I was wondering about the statement that a therapist should be apart of the group - I do think the therapist is regardless, but I truly believe in the therapist's role being that of a facilitator, not an active member.
This also sort of ties into my other question - I understand that groups might not work for everyone, but I think a group not working for an adolescent to the degree described in the article might indicate that that student needs MORE peer interaction, not less. Meeks talks about an adolescent's need to belong, but I also worry about children's ability to be vulnerable, which is hugely impacted by trauma. I really do think people need each other, and that group therapy can be a hugely important tool in teaching relationship building and social skills, alongside of other, more clearly stated purposes. Thoughts?