Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

What historical event contributed to the initial flourishing of group therapy in the U.S.?

1. The Civil Rights Movement

2. A shortage of individual therapists during World War II

3. The rise of mental health awareness

4. The establishment of community health programs

The correct answer is: A shortage of individual therapists during World War II

The initial flourishing of group therapy in the U.S. can be attributed to the shortage of individual therapists during World War II. This period saw a significant number of soldiers returning from the war with various psychological traumas, and the demand for mental health services vastly outstripped the available supply of therapists trained for one-on-one counseling. To address this gap, mental health professionals began to implement group therapy as a viable method for providing support and intervention to multiple clients simultaneously. Group therapy became an efficient way to manage the increased need for psychological aid during this time, enabling therapists to serve larger numbers of individuals who were dealing with similar issues, such as trauma and adjustment difficulties. The other historical events cited, while significant in their own right, did not directly lead to the same immediate and pressing need for group therapy that the wartime therapist shortage created.