In this book I have repeatedly stressed that the early stages of the group are a time of great flux and great importance. The young group is easily influenced, and norms that are established early are often exceedingly durable. An intense sequence of events unfolds as, in a few weeks, an aggregate of frightened, distrustful strangers evolves into an intimate, mutually helpful group. Any event that consumes an inordinate amount of time early on and diverts energy from the tasks of the developmental sequence is potentially destructive to the group. Some of the relevant problems are illustrated by the following clinical example.