The role of a group facilitator implies observation of the group's interaction and intervention based on these observations within the group. This paper discusses the need for a facilitator to operate from a theoretical frame of reference in group settings that also provides a systematic method of observation. The author discusses category systems as a method of group observation and presents the Categories of Intimacy Analysis and Intimacy Training (CIA/IT) as a means of observing and classifying verbal interaction in groups. (Author)