Group Therapy
We grow up in groups called families. This is where we learn to interact with the world around us. That conditioning plays out in all other relationships and social networks we’re in, whether online or in person. Group therapy offers an opportunity to change those patterns.
I believe in the power of group therapy because Group Works! Studies have shown group therapy to be as effective, and sometimes even more effective than individual therapy. Group is frequently the treatment of choice; in many ways group therapy is the very best of what we have to offer. What is talked about in group is confidential and not discussed outside the group.
Group therapy brings together a small number of individuals (usually 6-8) with one or more trained group leaders. Group members share what is troubling them. The process of sharing with each other, listening to each other, giving and receiving feedback, offering support and expressing their feelings about what someone else says or does can be extremely helpful. Group members begin to see that they are not alone. This interaction encourages individuals to develop new ways of behaving and learning more about how they interact with others. As a result, the original difficulties people brought to group become resolved.
In order to make group most effective, the first few sessions are geared towards establishing trust and safety. During this time, members usually work to establish a level of trust that allows them to talk personally and honestly. Group trust is enhanced when all members make a commitment to the group. Interested participants are encouraged to commit to 5 sessions. If at that time you feel group is not adequately meeting your needs, I ask that you come to the group for one last session and say good-bye.
Group is suited for people working on relationships, communication skills, transitional issues, identity development, emotional expression, self-actualization, loneliness, depression, and/or anxiety. It's also good for people who need support, acceptance, a boost in self-esteem, and/or honest interpersonal feedback in a safe environment.
Why Should YOU Join A Group?
Group can be described as a "social dressing room" to "try on" new social behaviors in a safe and supportive environment. It allows people to people to understand their needs and how they act in social settings in order to get those needs met. With that awareness, people can turn insight into action and make changes as they see fit. Additionally, group members can apply what they have gained from group to other settings and situations such as businesses, schools, and key relationships.
If You Are…
Isolated Or Depressed
Shy And Easily Embarrassed
Troubled By Relationships / Communication
Wanting To Connect With Others Like You
Seeking To Improve Interpersonal Effectiveness
Seeking To Understand Why You Act The Way You Do
Looking to Maximize Your Potential and Bolster Your Strengths…
Consider Group! Here are some reasons to join:
Reduces Isolation – You’re Not As Different Or Alone As You Think
Normalizes Experience – “It’s Not Just Me, I’m Not Alone”
Supportive – Receive Support And Share Your Wisdom
Learn With And From Other People
Understand Yourself Better
Build Confidence And Self-Esteem
Function Better In Relationships
Learn And Practice New Skills
Frequently asked questions about group therapy:
How does group work?
While participating in group, people begin to see that they are not alone; that others share similar concerns and difficulties in life. Under the direction of skilled group leaders, the group is able to give support, offer alternatives, or gently confront group members. Through group interactions and group feedback, new insights are gained, alternative behaviors are explored, and new ways of relating to others can be tried. As a result, the original difficulties people brought to group become resolved.
What do I talk about in group?
Talk about what brought you into therapy. Let other group members know what is bothering you and what your goals are. If you need support, let the group know. If you think you need confrontation, let them know that too. It is important to tell the group what you expect of them and what you need from them. Unexpressed feelings are a major reason why people experience difficulties. The most appropriate disclosures will be those that relate directly to your present difficulty. It is important that you feel comfortable with your level of self-disclosure.
When & how often does group meet?
Process groups meet once a week for 90 minutes. Groups are usually held late in the afternoon or early evening to accommodate schedules. Occasionally, there may be early morning groups as well.
Can I do both group & individual therapy at the same time?
Yes. Combined therapy can help you maximize your growth by working on different goals in different methods of treatment. The insights gleaned from individual therapy can be turned into action in group. Consult with your therapist to see what’s best for you.
How long can I stay in group?
You can stay in group as long as you and the group leaders feel it is beneficial for you. Some members stay for half a year, while others stay for many years.
Common misperceptions about group therapy:
“I have so much trouble talking to people; I’ll never be able to share in group.”
Most people are initially anxious about talking in group. Almost without exception, within a few sessions, new members find that the group process draws them in and they begin to share with the group in ways they never anticipated.
“I will be pressured to share my deepest thoughts and feelings with the group.”
You control what, how much, and when you share with the group. I encourage you not to share what you are not ready to disclose. Many group members find that when the group feels safe enough to share what they are most apprehensive about, the group can be very helpful and affirming. At the same time, you can also be helped by listening to others and thinking about how their thoughts might apply to you.
“Group therapy is second-best to individual therapy.”
Group therapy has been recommended to you because your therapist believes that it is the best way to address your concerns. As therapists, we recommend group therapy when we believe it is the most effective treatment method to help you. In fact, group is frequently the treatment of choice, and group is in many ways the very best of what we have to offer.
“Group therapy will take longer than individual therapy because I will have to share the time with others.”
Group therapy is often more efficient than individual therapy, for two reasons. First, you can benefit from the group even during sessions when you say little, but listen carefully to others. You will find that you have much in common with other group members, and as they work on a concern, you can learn more about yourself. Secondly, group members will often bring up issues that strike a chord with you, but you might not have been aware of, or brought up by yourself. Therefore, learning from others can be a powerful therapeutic experience and often enhances the work.
“I will be judged, criticized, or verbally attacked by the leaders and by other group members.”
It is very important that group members feel safe. Group leaders are there to create a safe environment for all involved. We understand that feedback is often difficult to hear, from leaders and members alike. As group members come to trust the group, they generally experience feedback, and even confrontation – as if it were coming from a good friend. One of the benefits of group therapy is the opportunity to receive feedback from others in a supportive environment. It is rare to find friends who will gently point out how you might be behaving in ways that hurt yourself or others, but this is precisely what group can offer. This will be done in a respectful, gentle way, so that you can hear it and make use of it.
Description
Co-Ed Process Groups: These groups are here-now/emotion-focused in nature, meaning there will be an emphasis on putting thoughts and feelings experienced in the moment into words. It's for people working on relationships, communication skills, transitional issues, unprocessed emotions, social role/identity development issues, loneliness, depression, and/or anxiety. It's also good for people who need acceptance or support of any kind, a boost in self-esteem, and/or honest interpersonal feedback in a safe environment. Pre-group orientation sessions are required to determine fit. Members should be able to commit to weekly attendance.
Participants tend to seek personal growth and social connection and help each other develop greater self-awareness and increased ability to develop satisfying relationships. The idea is that by interacting with others in a safe and trusting environment, participants can learn from each other, while giving and receiving support and feedback around the many personal issues that people confront.
I believe in the power of group therapy because Group Works! Studies have shown group therapy to be as effective, and sometimes even more effective than individual therapy. Group is frequently the treatment of choice; in many ways group therapy is the very best of what we have to offer. What is talked about in group is confidential and not discussed outside the group.
Group therapy brings together a small number of individuals (usually 6-8) with one or more trained group leaders. Group members share what is troubling them. The process of sharing with each other, listening to each other, giving and receiving feedback, offering support and expressing their feelings about what someone else says or does can be extremely helpful. Group members begin to see that they are not alone. This interaction encourages individuals to develop new ways of behaving and learning more about how they interact with others. As a result, the original difficulties people brought to group become resolved.
In order to make group most effective, the first few sessions are geared towards establishing trust and safety. During this time, members usually work to establish a level of trust that allows them to talk personally and honestly. Group trust is enhanced when all members make a commitment to the group. Interested participants are encouraged to commit to 5 sessions. If at that time you feel group is not adequately meeting your needs, I ask that you come to the group for one last session and say good-bye.
Group is suited for people working on relationships, communication skills, transitional issues, identity development, emotional expression, self-actualization, loneliness, depression, and/or anxiety. It's also good for people who need support, acceptance, a boost in self-esteem, and/or honest interpersonal feedback in a safe environment.
Why Should YOU Join A Group?
Group can be described as a "social dressing room" to "try on" new social behaviors in a safe and supportive environment. It allows people to people to understand their needs and how they act in social settings in order to get those needs met. With that awareness, people can turn insight into action and make changes as they see fit. Additionally, group members can apply what they have gained from group to other settings and situations such as businesses, schools, and key relationships.
If You Are…
Isolated Or Depressed
Shy And Easily Embarrassed
Troubled By Relationships / Communication
Wanting To Connect With Others Like You
Seeking To Improve Interpersonal Effectiveness
Seeking To Understand Why You Act The Way You Do
Looking to Maximize Your Potential and Bolster Your Strengths…
Consider Group! Here are some reasons to join:
Reduces Isolation – You’re Not As Different Or Alone As You Think
Normalizes Experience – “It’s Not Just Me, I’m Not Alone”
Supportive – Receive Support And Share Your Wisdom
Learn With And From Other People
Understand Yourself Better
Build Confidence And Self-Esteem
Function Better In Relationships
Learn And Practice New Skills
Frequently asked questions about group therapy:
How does group work?
While participating in group, people begin to see that they are not alone; that others share similar concerns and difficulties in life. Under the direction of skilled group leaders, the group is able to give support, offer alternatives, or gently confront group members. Through group interactions and group feedback, new insights are gained, alternative behaviors are explored, and new ways of relating to others can be tried. As a result, the original difficulties people brought to group become resolved.
What do I talk about in group?
Talk about what brought you into therapy. Let other group members know what is bothering you and what your goals are. If you need support, let the group know. If you think you need confrontation, let them know that too. It is important to tell the group what you expect of them and what you need from them. Unexpressed feelings are a major reason why people experience difficulties. The most appropriate disclosures will be those that relate directly to your present difficulty. It is important that you feel comfortable with your level of self-disclosure.
When & how often does group meet?
Process groups meet once a week for 90 minutes. Groups are usually held late in the afternoon or early evening to accommodate schedules. Occasionally, there may be early morning groups as well.
Can I do both group & individual therapy at the same time?
Yes. Combined therapy can help you maximize your growth by working on different goals in different methods of treatment. The insights gleaned from individual therapy can be turned into action in group. Consult with your therapist to see what’s best for you.
How long can I stay in group?
You can stay in group as long as you and the group leaders feel it is beneficial for you. Some members stay for half a year, while others stay for many years.
Common misperceptions about group therapy:
“I have so much trouble talking to people; I’ll never be able to share in group.”
Most people are initially anxious about talking in group. Almost without exception, within a few sessions, new members find that the group process draws them in and they begin to share with the group in ways they never anticipated.
“I will be pressured to share my deepest thoughts and feelings with the group.”
You control what, how much, and when you share with the group. I encourage you not to share what you are not ready to disclose. Many group members find that when the group feels safe enough to share what they are most apprehensive about, the group can be very helpful and affirming. At the same time, you can also be helped by listening to others and thinking about how their thoughts might apply to you.
“Group therapy is second-best to individual therapy.”
Group therapy has been recommended to you because your therapist believes that it is the best way to address your concerns. As therapists, we recommend group therapy when we believe it is the most effective treatment method to help you. In fact, group is frequently the treatment of choice, and group is in many ways the very best of what we have to offer.
“Group therapy will take longer than individual therapy because I will have to share the time with others.”
Group therapy is often more efficient than individual therapy, for two reasons. First, you can benefit from the group even during sessions when you say little, but listen carefully to others. You will find that you have much in common with other group members, and as they work on a concern, you can learn more about yourself. Secondly, group members will often bring up issues that strike a chord with you, but you might not have been aware of, or brought up by yourself. Therefore, learning from others can be a powerful therapeutic experience and often enhances the work.
“I will be judged, criticized, or verbally attacked by the leaders and by other group members.”
It is very important that group members feel safe. Group leaders are there to create a safe environment for all involved. We understand that feedback is often difficult to hear, from leaders and members alike. As group members come to trust the group, they generally experience feedback, and even confrontation – as if it were coming from a good friend. One of the benefits of group therapy is the opportunity to receive feedback from others in a supportive environment. It is rare to find friends who will gently point out how you might be behaving in ways that hurt yourself or others, but this is precisely what group can offer. This will be done in a respectful, gentle way, so that you can hear it and make use of it.
Description
Co-Ed Process Groups: These groups are here-now/emotion-focused in nature, meaning there will be an emphasis on putting thoughts and feelings experienced in the moment into words. It's for people working on relationships, communication skills, transitional issues, unprocessed emotions, social role/identity development issues, loneliness, depression, and/or anxiety. It's also good for people who need acceptance or support of any kind, a boost in self-esteem, and/or honest interpersonal feedback in a safe environment. Pre-group orientation sessions are required to determine fit. Members should be able to commit to weekly attendance.
Participants tend to seek personal growth and social connection and help each other develop greater self-awareness and increased ability to develop satisfying relationships. The idea is that by interacting with others in a safe and trusting environment, participants can learn from each other, while giving and receiving support and feedback around the many personal issues that people confront.