The Ins And Outs Of Group Therapy

As any psychologist can confirm, the value of group therapy in treating numerous mental health problems cannot be understated

. Oftentimes, group therapy is an instructive and necessary complement to individual therapy. During sessions, people gain the support of their peers while hearing the stories and experiences of others. Ideally, people gain perspective and develop a feeling of shared security in the group dynamic.

Essentially, group therapy is precisely what it sounds like: a therapy session involving a group of people, led by a trained psychotherapist. The technique has been used for well over 50 years and is as effective as individual therapy - at times more so. A session typically consists of a limited number of individuals guided by a counselor. The discussion among members is free, and each person has the opportunity to speak. As members share their thoughts, feelings, worries and other private aspects of their lives, others in the group are able to offer support and even present alternatives that may not occur to the therapist. In a way, each person in the group is uniquely qualified to offer their own take on the matter.

Numerous mental health issues are addressable in a group therapy session including, but not limited to:

Anger issues

Addictive disorders

Interpersonal relationship problems

Depression

Effects of trauma

A strength of group therapy is that, though it's an open forum where people engage in conversation with the other members, it is as confidential as an individual therapy session. Each member is bound by a confidentiality agreement, so what is shared within the group stays private.

The benefits of group therapy are many. Members learn to be more confident by sharing their struggles. They gain emotional support and become committed to really "showing up" and supporting other people in the group. Members develop empathy for each other as each person starts to understand the lives and troubles of other people. This leads to the clarification of one's own problems. Ultimately, people cease to feel so alone in the world knowing there are other people out there facing similar things. In a larger sense, it is all about transcending one's problems and realizing other people are not so different from us.

The right mix of therapy is dependent upon each person. Group sessions may be the only form of therapy one attends, or they could benefit from a mix of individual and group therapy. With CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for example, group meetings are a vital part of the treatment, along with individual visits to the psychologist. It's important to keep in mind that each type complements the other, so they are not mutually exclusive.

Keep in mind, too, that group psychotherapy is different from a self-help group. The latter is designed to help people struggling with an addiction or mental illness cope with their problems, though rarely do they pinpoint the root symptoms of those problems. Additionally, self-help groups are not necessarily facilitated by a trained professional. Group psychotherapy, by contrast, is professionally administered and intended to challenge members to transform and grow by getting to the root of the problem.

To go about finding a trained group therapy professional, start by visiting the website or calling the AGPA - the American Group Psychotherapy Association. You can also ask your individual therapist for a referral or speak with family or friends who've participated in group mental health sessions. In most cases, the cost of a session is spread out among the participants, so it's at least half the price of a standard one-on-one appointment. Check with your insurance company as well, as group therapy is almost always covered by a medical plan.

by: Stephen Daniels

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