Group Analysis, Ahead of Print.
Group therapy is not always acclaimed by leaders of mental health services. Recently, a survey in Norway gave group treatment top ranking. The Institute of Group Analysis and Group Psychotherapy (IGA) is the main training institution for group psychotherapy and group analysis in Norway. In this article, a founding member of the Norwegian IGA (SK), an earlier (SNB) and the current head of education (AU) of IGA, and a clinical director of a current group therapy unit (TNE), reflect upon the historical and current reasons for the positive evaluation from mental health leaders. We point to five important factors: 1) the training policy of IGA; 2) an initial support from influential psychiatrists; 3) support from the Norwegian Day Hospital Network; 4) backing from productive research groups; and 5) the current organization of group therapy units in mental health centres. We regard these historical-structural-clinical processes as important to know about also for international colleagues who strive for public recognition of their training and practice.