Everything you need to know about Group Therapy
Below I list the pros and cons of group therapy, how to select what groups you should be apart of, and what to expect.
I've professionally led and experienced just about every type of group therapy there is: Adolescent Substance Abuse Group therapy, Parent Education, Adults with Substance Abuse and/or on Probation Group Therapy, Anger Management Group Therapy, Group Therapy in a psychiatric hospital setting, Trauma-focused Group Therapy, Educational based Group Therapy, Skills based Group Therapy, Mindfulness Group Therapy, Process Group Therapy and Community based Group therapy such as AA, OE, and Al-Anon.
Here is my ultimate guide to finding, choosing, and getting the most out of group therapy.
This blog contains the follow:
What are the different types of group therapy out there?
Pros and Cons of Group Therapy?
What you can expect in Group Therapy?
What are the different types of group therapy out there?
Depending on what you are wanting to get out of group therapy you want to make sure you choose the right type of group.
Psychoeducational groups focus on providing group members with education on a specific condition or topic such as substance abuse disorder, anxiety, or anger (like in an anger management class). In my experience, many court mandated groups such as anger management or substance abuse groups will involve a lot of psychoeducational information. The hope is that education will entice group members to change their behaviors.
Skill development groups focus mostly on teaching and practicing new skills such as anxiety-reducing skills, communication skills, and distress tolerance skills. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a great skills-based type of therapy and being in a group setting allows group members to practice their new skills with others in a safe contained environment. Check out my group page often as I will be adding a DBT group soon! Currently, I have a self-esteem skills group for teens ages 13-17. For more info click here.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy groups focus on identifying and restructuring thoughts that may lead to harmful outcomes. This includes identifying triggers, emotions, and behaviors that group members want to change. I hold a Cognitive Processing Group every Thursday evening that focuses on trauma-related thoughts and behaviors. You can find more information here.
Support groups such as AA, OE, Alanon, or bereavement groups are typically free and community-led groups. They run off of a set of established rules such as "no cross-talking" and are typically available in most larger cities. Click the following for more information on each: AA, OE, Al-Anon, and Bereavement groups.
Process groups are one of my favorite types of groups. These groups give space for group members to share their experiences and encourage useful feedback and support from other group members. The reason process groups are one of my favorites is because research has shown expressing and verbalizing our emotions in a safe environment is beneficial to our overall health. In my experience, the world doesn't lay out a red carpet for emotions, they are typically shunned or unprocessed. In a process group....well, we take the time to process all of those beautiful and natural emotions.
Pros and Cons of Group Therapy.
Group therapy it's not all rainbows and butterflies.
Some cons include: I nor any therapist can guarantee confidentiality meaning whatever is shared in the group will be held privately. When I facilitate group therapy I ask each group member to sign a consent form asking for confidentiality however I cannot 100% guarantee it.
Second con: Groups will have different personalities and different viewpoints due to different upbringing and experiences. This means that sometimes there will be conflict. Conflict is not a bad thing, it's considered a good thing in group therapy but I will save that for the pros list.
Last con: If you struggle with social anxiety or tend to be more a listener than a talker, you might not get the most out of group therapy. A skilled group therapist should notice and help pull you out of your shell little by little.
Now the good stuff:
Group therapy is usually more affordable. For example, an individual session can cost anywhere from $60-$150. A group therapy session typically costs $20-$40 a session. Often, you cover similar topics and learn similar skills.
Second, having a community is healing. Knowing you aren't alone or that others feel similar can be encouraging and empowering. In my experience, I see clients who are deeply struggling give the best advice and provide hope to others. This in turn gives the advice givers some endorphins knowing they are helping others. We are all in this together and group therapy reminds us of that.
Third pro: Multiple people with different perspectives can provide the opportunity for various ideas and suggestions. You may learn of strategies or ideas you could have never come up with on your own. Also if a conflict arises in group therapy you get a chance, with the help of your therapist, to learn how to effectively and respectfully work toward a resolution. That's a skill we all need.
Lastly, group therapy provides a safe container to practice new coping skills, communication skills, and relationship-building skills and gain new perspectives.
So you're feeling pretty good about group therapy? Now what?
First things first, before joining group therapy you want to talk with the therapist or clinic who will be leading it to make sure you will be a good fit for the group.
You will fill out paperwork, and consent forms, and submit insurance cards just like individual therapy. Group therapy usually meets once a week for 1-2 hours and will either be in person or online.
It's important to have a quiet and private space to attend group therapy if you are joining online. This is for your privacy but also the other group members' privacy.
In the beginning, group members usually introduce themselves, share the reason for attending the group, and the therapist leading the group will provide the topic for the day. Once the group has started, group members can share setbacks or obstacles and get feedback from the therapist and group members.
Some groups give homework and you may discuss your experience positive or negative while doing the homework. If you are an anxious person and you want to know more detailed information on what to expect, I recommend being communicative and honest with your therapist and asking because each group will vary based on type and purpose. Remember, your voice is your power.
Check out the groups I'm currently offering here and reach out if you have any questions or suggestions.
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