| Lakeside Family Counseling |
| Group Therapy |
What is group therapy?
In group therapy approximately 6-10 individuals meet with a trained
therapist. During the group meeting time, members decide what they want
to talk about.
Members are encouraged to give feedback to others. Feedback includes
expressing your own feelings about what someone says or does.
Interaction between group members are highly encouraged and provides
each person with an opportunity to try out new ways of behaving; it also
provides members with an opportunity for learning more about the way
they interact with others. It is a safe environment in which members work
to establish a level of trust that allows them to talk personally and
honestly. Group members make a commitment to the group and are
instructed that the content of the group sessions are confidential. It is not
appropriate for group members to disclose events of the group to an
outside person.
In group therapy approximately 6-10 individuals meet with a trained
therapist. During the group meeting time, members decide what they want
to talk about.
Members are encouraged to give feedback to others. Feedback includes
expressing your own feelings about what someone says or does.
Interaction between group members are highly encouraged and provides
each person with an opportunity to try out new ways of behaving; it also
provides members with an opportunity for learning more about the way
they interact with others. It is a safe environment in which members work
to establish a level of trust that allows them to talk personally and
honestly. Group members make a commitment to the group and are
instructed that the content of the group sessions are confidential. It is not
appropriate for group members to disclose events of the group to an
outside person.
Why is group therapy helpful?
1. When people come into a group and interact freely with other group
members, they have a safe place to discuss those difficulties that brought
them to group therapy in the first place. Under the direction of the group
therapist, the group is able to give support, offer alternatives, and comfort
members in such a way that these difficulties become resolved.
2. The group also allows a person to develop new ways of relating to people.
3. During group therapy, people begin to see that they are not alone and that
there is hope and help. It is comforting to hear that other people have a
similar difficulty, or have already worked through a problem that deeply
disturbs another group member.
4. Another reason for the success of group therapy is that people feel free to
care about each other because of the climate of trust in a group.
As the group members begin to feel more comfortable, you will be able to
speak freely. The psychological safety of the group will allow the expression
of those feelings which are often difficult to express outside of group. You will
begin to ask for the support you need. You will be encouraged tell people
what you expect of them.
In a group, you probably will be most helped and satisfied if you talk about
your feelings. It is important to keep in mind that you are the one who
determines how much you disclose in a group. You will not be forced to tell
your deepest and innermost thoughts.
Adapted from the State University of New York at Buffalo
1. When people come into a group and interact freely with other group
members, they have a safe place to discuss those difficulties that brought
them to group therapy in the first place. Under the direction of the group
therapist, the group is able to give support, offer alternatives, and comfort
members in such a way that these difficulties become resolved.
2. The group also allows a person to develop new ways of relating to people.
3. During group therapy, people begin to see that they are not alone and that
there is hope and help. It is comforting to hear that other people have a
similar difficulty, or have already worked through a problem that deeply
disturbs another group member.
4. Another reason for the success of group therapy is that people feel free to
care about each other because of the climate of trust in a group.
As the group members begin to feel more comfortable, you will be able to
speak freely. The psychological safety of the group will allow the expression
of those feelings which are often difficult to express outside of group. You will
begin to ask for the support you need. You will be encouraged tell people
what you expect of them.
In a group, you probably will be most helped and satisfied if you talk about
your feelings. It is important to keep in mind that you are the one who
determines how much you disclose in a group. You will not be forced to tell
your deepest and innermost thoughts.
Adapted from the State University of New York at Buffalo
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