Group Therapy

Group therapy, as the name implies, is when the addiction counselor brings together a number of people who are all facing similar issues. Within the confines of a safe, controlled therapeutic atmosphere, participants are able to discuss challenges that are common to the group.

The goal of group therapy is for each participant to gain a deeper understanding of their disorder, while at the same time giving and receiving support from others in the group. It is necessary to include group therapy as part of the treatment plan. It is used in conjunction with individual counseling and other programs. A person may attend meetings every day, once a week or even multiple times a day as necessary to help them stay on the road to recovery.

Group therapy can help people improve their mental health. It involves one or more mental health professionals leading two or more people in therapy. Many use it to address a specific mental health concern. The group dynamic often helps people feel supported as they move toward achieving their shared and individual goals. Whether the goal is growth, improving social skills, or something else, group therapy could help achieve it. 

Sometimes, a therapist might suggest group therapy over other forms of treatment. This could be because it is a good fit for that individual or better for treating their concern. Therapy groups can help people whose mental health makes it difficult to get through daily life. Others may not have pressing concerns but still wish for the training or support group therapy can offer. Some of the topics addressed in group therapy include: 

·                Addiction

·                Anger management

·                Anxiety

·                Communication issues

·                Divorce

·                Domestic violence or abuse

·                Food and eating issues

·                Grief and loss

·                Parenting

·                Low self esteem /Lack of confidence

·                Molestation /Rape/Abuse

·                Rejection/Abandonment

Members of a group can share how they have learned to manage situations and maintain good mental health that others in the group may find difficult to navigate. They can also lend social support during hard times, helping to comfort people with the realization that they are not alone.

Group therapy is different from a self-help or support group in that each group therapy session is led by at least one qualified therapist, who will utilize research-backed techniques. Other types of groups cannot guarantee a qualified therapist will be present to teach concepts, skills, and practices at this level.

There are many different types of therapeutic groups, but most therapy groups can be divided into two main approaches. These approaches are psychoeducational group therapy and process-oriented group therapy.  

Psychoeducational therapy groups provide members with information about specific issues and/or teach healthy coping skills. These groups are led by a qualified therapist who directs sessions and sets goals. In psychoeducational therapy, bonds between group members are less important, as the therapist provides most of the content through instruction as a teacher would.

It is important for the client to know the name of their diagnosed condition. It can provide significant relief knowing that treatment is available and that others have suffered in similar ways and that no matter what they are going through, they are not alone.

Upon diagnosis, clients may not know much about their condition. The first goal of psychoeducation is to teach the client what the diagnosis really means and what it means for them specifically.

Process-oriented therapy groups focus on the group experience. Rather than leading the group discussion the therapist acts as a facilitator rather than an instructor, being careful not to become the center of attention. In process-oriented group therapy, the group is in charge of their sessions and they participate by engaging in group discussions and various activities. Sharing in these kinds of activities can lead to a sense of belonging and increased self-confidence.

Individuals who desire gaining skills such as parenting, caregiving, or stress management may benefit from psychoeducational group therapy. Others seeking personal growth to deal with a major life transition, such as divorce, retirement, or aging could benefit from process-oriented group therapy.  

Group therapy meetings can be open or closed. 

·                In open groups, new members can join the group at any time. 

·                In a closed group, all members join at the same time and only those members participate in the sessions with each other.