The Invisible Revealed: Collusion as an Entry to the Group Unconscious

In group consultation, as in therapy, a shared awareness of projective processes is helpful to both consultant and client. If left unaware, the flow of material can submerge both. The consultant risks colluding with the group by adopting their projections and then either withdrawing or acting out. When such situations are “exposed,” they are usually considered to be either professional embarrassments or evidence of professional incompetence. Yet careful investigation of the experience of collusion can lead to a deeper understanding of the covert and unconscious elements of working with a group.