NAGYKONNEKT

Detailed professional description

Format: Therapeutic

Focus: Lack of peer relationships, difficulties with social integration and communication, difficulties with mentalization, low self-esteem, anxiety, school conflicts (bullying), questions of identity related to the diagnosis, separation from parents, support for independence, questions about the future, inflexibility, compulsions.

Methodology: The group combines elements of mentalization-based treatment for adolescents (MBT-A), behavioural therapy (CBT) and the complex art therapy toolkit, while observing the professional guidelines on autism spectrum conditions. The therapeutic framework helps participants express emotions appropriately and better understand behavioural and relational patterns. Our aim is that the ego-strengthening, positive experiences gained in the safe setting of the therapeutic group will also help group members function more independently and flexibly in everyday situations typical of their age. As a transfer effect, we also strengthen the young people's motivation and self-confidence. The group is co-led by a clinical psychologist and a complex art therapist. 

The therapeutic group builds on continuous, active participation and on shared experiences, connections and feedback within the group. For the therapy to be effective – just as with our individual therapies – regular weekly attendance is therefore essential. 

Intensive parent guidance is also part of the group throughout the school year. Approximately every ten group sessions, we hold regular consultations with the parents and the young people, during which – based on experiences in the family, at school and other institutions, and among peers – we reflect together on the young person's development and on how the problems discussed at the initial consultation have evolved. In our experience, the problems and difficulties of young people joining the group are able to reorganise by the end of the school year, at the group's slow, weekly pace. 

Parents agree to carry out any further assessments that the group leaders may recommend in the interest of the therapy's effectiveness. The therapists undertake to indicate when they consider it necessary to bring other diagnostic or therapeutic interventions into the process. 

Number of sessions: Two therapy hours once a week (2×45 minutes = 90 minutes), run as a slow-open group.

Group leaders: Erika Pap, clinical psychologist, symbol therapist and MBT-A therapist, and Petra Kovács, complex art therapist and music therapist

Group size: maximum 8 participants

Age group: 14–18 years

The work of the therapeutic group is supported by regular child psychiatric supervision of Murmo's professional team.

Throughout the year, the work of Murmo's therapeutic groups is supported by volunteers from the Pro Juventa Foundation. Our volunteers are psychologists, special education teachers and art therapists in training.