Yalom's model. Applied to an outpatient better breathers group.

1. The decision to use Yalom's model for outpatient group psychotherapy in the psychological treatment of chronic lung patients was based not only on the existential issues such clients face on a daily basis, but also on the theory of underlying personality characteristics. 2. Therapeutic interventions target six areas: encourage open communication; establish a therapeutic alliance among members; encourage exploration of alternative problem-solving skills/behaviors; increase self- and interpersonal understanding; encourage open expression of feelings; and develop more fulfilling interpersonal relationships within the group that could be generalized to relationships outside the group. 3. Hope is the most important factor in determining group survival. An implicit and underlying hope seems to be that if they could unburden themselves, they might be able to breathe better and live longer, healthier lives.