Group Therapy

What is group counseling?

Group counseling, like individual counseling, is intended to help people who would like to improve their ability to cope with difficulties and problems in their lives., While in individual therapy you meet with only your therapist, , in group counseling you meet with a group of people and one or two therapists. Group counseling focuses on interpersonal interactions, so relationship problems are addressed well in groups. The aim of group counseling is to help with solving emotional difficulties and to encourage the personal development of the participants in the group. The therapist(s) chooses as candidates for the group people who can benefit from this kind of counseling and those who may be most helpful to others members in the group.

How does group counseling work? Group members share personal issues they face, including events they were involved in during the week and responses to these events. In addition, members often share feelings and thoughts about what happened in previous sessions, respond to issues raised by other members, or react to the therapists' contribution. Participants frequently provide feedback to other members and to the therapists. In responding to other participants' contributions, group members provide their perspectives, insights, and suggestions. The subjects for discussion are not generally determined by the therapists but rise spontaneously from the group. Typically, group members come to feel that they are not alone with their problem and that there are others who feel the same. The group can become a source of support and strength in times of stress for the participants. Feedback received from others can increase one’s awareness of maladaptive patterns of behavior, facilitate more realistic beliefs, and help one to develop more constructive and effective reactions. Group therapy can also become a relatively secure place for practicing and experimenting with new behaviors.

Who can benefit from group counseling? Group members share personal issues they face, including events they were involved in during the week and responses to these events. In addition, members often share feelings and thoughts about what happened in previous sessions, respond to issues raised by other members, or react to the therapists' contribution. Participants frequently provide feedback to other members and to the therapists. In responding to other participants' contributions, group members provide their perspectives, insights, and suggestions. The subjects for discussion are not generally determined by the therapists but rise spontaneously from the group. Typically, group members come to feel that they are not alone with their problem and that there are others who feel the same. The group can become a source of support and strength in times of stress for the participants. Feedback received from others can increase one's awareness of maladaptive patterns of behavior, facilitate more realistic beliefs, and help one to develop more constructive and effective reactions. Group therapy can also become a relatively secure place for practicing and experimenting with new behaviors.

What is expected of members? Members are expected to attend each week and to come on time. Group members agree to be responsible for maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of other group members by not disclosing their identities or sharing information shared in group with others. When participating in a group, you will not be required to talk or reveal personal information. However, group members typically find that the more they put in to the group, the more they get out of it. Group members are asked to not socialize with other group members outside of group and prospective group members with pre-existing relationships (work relationships, friendships).with other group members will not be accepted into the group.

What does a typical group look like? Groups usually consist of six to ten participants and two therapist facilitators. Sessions are weekly and ongoing and meet for 1 1/2 hours. The duration of each group member's participation varies according to need and desire and typically lasts from a few months to more than a year.