What is identified as a major limitation of group work?

• A. Gestalt therapy cannot be used in a group setting.
• B. REBT cannot be utilized in group therapy.
• C. A group leader can lose control and members could experience emotional harm.
• D. Group therapy is not cost effective.

Answer: (C)

The key idea being tested is the risk inherent in group work when leadership loses control, which can lead to emotional harm for members. In a group, dynamics are powerful and sensitive; the facilitator must continuously set and enforce boundaries, manage conflicts, and monitor what gets disclosed and how it affects others. If control slips, members may feel unsafe, overwhelmed, or retraumatized, and unhealthy dynamics—such as coercive pressure, unhealthy competitiveness, or hostile interactions—can emerge. This is a fundamental limitation because it hinges on the facilitator’s skill and the group’s safety procedures; without them, the potential for harm increases.

Gestalt therapy and rational-emotive behavior therapy can be adapted for group formats, so they’re not inherently unusable in groups. Group therapy is often more cost-effective than individual therapy, which is why that point does not represent a true limitation.