Group Therapy
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Group Therapy
An alternative to individual or couples treatment is group treatment or group therapy. Receiving help as a part of a group has some important advantages over individual therapy; one of the most important advantages is the ability to benefit from the experiences and insights of others, some of whom may be experiencing similar issues. Additionally, the process of the group and the interpersonal interactions can help group members become aware of their own behavior and witness the change in themselves and others.
A type of group treatment that can be particularly helpful is one with a focus on a specific topic or goal. For example, a group that focuses on managing anxiety can provide process and skills to participants that they can learn and use in their daily lives.
In group therapy approximately 6-10 individuals meet face-to-face with a trained group 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.
The following information was adapted from the State University of New York, Buffalo:
Why is group therapy helpful?
1. When people come into a group and interact freely with other group members, they usually recreate 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 and alternative behaviors are learned.
2. The group also allows a person to develop new ways of relating to people. Because it is a group of one’s peers, one can practice implementing new skills with others in the group.
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 that 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 you deepest and innermost thoughts.
The Center for Human Potential currently offers the following groups:
Free Caregiver Support Group
The Caregiver Support Group is open to anyone providing care to another person. This includes care provided by a parent, adult child, spouse or partner. This group is moderated by a licensed mental health therapist (clinical social worker or clinical psychologist) and is offered two times each week. The group will focus on ways to care for oneself including how to reduce stress and how to find help when it becomes necessary. We will also explore the community resources available to caregivers, how to make decisions about when a loved one may need more help than you can give and allowing for an open forum where you can discuss the personal struggles related to providing care.
Transgender Partner Support Group
The Transgender Partner Support Group is provided to any individual in a marriage or partnership with a transgender person. The group is offered free of charge and is sponsored by the Utah Pride Center. A licensed mental health therapist also moderates this group. The focus of this group is on education about transgender issues and provides a forum for safe, open discussion about the challenges partners may face. This is an open group but we encourage you to contact the moderator for more information and directions to the facility.
