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Group Therapy (1969) Board Game

ByMichail

Group Therapy is a board game that was released in 1969 by Group Therapy Associates and Park Plastics. It is a party game designed for 3-8 players, with the best gameplay experience for groups of 5-8 players. The game is categorized as a medical party game and involves storytelling and voting mechanisms.

Game Components of Group Therapy

  • Game board** with 3 levels of difficulty
  • 8 Cop Out “With It” cards**
  • 120 Therapist game cards**
  • 15 White group therapist cards**
  • 25 Blue therapist cards**
  • Tokens** for player movement

    How To Setup Group Therapy

    To set up the game, players place their tokens on the starting space marked “Hung Up” on the game board. The three decks of cards (yellow, blue, and red) are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Each player selects a token to represent them on the board.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Player Movement: Players move their tokens along the board from “Hung Up” to “Free.”
  • Card Drawing: Players draw cards from the yellow, blue, or red decks, each with increasing difficulty.
  • Yellow Deck: Tasks like “Ask someone to hold you and rock you. Give yourself to the experience.”
  • Blue Deck: Tasks like “Stand facing the group member who threatens you most. Pushing your hands against his, tell him why he frightens you.”
  • Red Deck: Tasks like “You have been accused of over-intellectualizing your hang-ups. Respond — without falling victim to that criticism.”
  • Judgment: After performing each task, players issue a judgment using “With It” or “Cop Out” cards, advancing or retreating accordingly.
  • Objective: The goal is to reach the final space marked “Free.”

    Player Experience

    Playing **Group Therapy** is an intense and often awkward experience, designed to foster honesty, openness, and self-improvement. The game challenges players to confront their personal issues and interact deeply with other players. Tasks can be emotionally demanding and may lead to significant conversations or conflicts.

    Pros

  • Deep Interactions: Encourages honest and open communication among players.
  • Personal Growth: Designed to help players confront and overcome personal hang-ups.
  • Unique Experience: Unlike other games, it combines psychological exercises with gameplay.

    Cons

  • Emotional Intensity: Tasks can be emotionally draining and may create social discomfort.
  • Potential Conflict: Some questions and tasks can lead to conflicts or awkwardness among players.
  • Not for Everyone: The game’s nature makes it unsuitable for players who are not prepared for deep, personal interactions.

    Personal Thoughts on Group Therapy

    **Group Therapy** is for individuals who are willing to open up, confront their personal issues, and engage in deep, sometimes uncomfortable, interactions. It is not a game for casual entertainment but rather a tool for those seeking self-improvement and honest communication within a group. Given its intense nature, it is advisable to play with trusted friends or in a therapeutic setting.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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