Group Therapist Responsiveness: A Scoping Review

Therapist responsiveness is a crucial factor in the effectiveness of psychotherapy, yet its role in group settings remains underexplored. This scoping review examines therapist responsiveness within group psychotherapy, highlighting its theoretical underpinnings, empirical findings, and implications for practice. A scoping review was conducted in major academic databases (PubMed, ProQuest, APA PsycArticles, ScienceDirect, and PMC). A total of 11 articles were identified, and relevant experimental studies were reviewed. Findings indicate that therapist responsiveness plays a central role in fostering group climate, personalizing treatment and promoting reflexivity and mentalization within the group. However, challenges exist in defining and measuring the construct, particularly across different therapeutic models and cultural contexts. While current research suggests a strong link between therapist responsiveness and treatment efficacy, methodological limitations such as small sample sizes and a lack of standardized assessment tools remain barriers to generalizability. Future research should focus on developing validated measures, exploring cultural variations, and assessing therapist responsiveness in online group therapy settings. This study underscores the importance of a responsive therapeutic stance in group psychotherapy and calls for further empirical investigation to refine theoretical models and enhance clinical applications.