What is a therapy group?
A therapy group is a collection of individuals who are working on a similar issue. It’s powerful to connect with people who have related mental health concerns. When you’re talking to a therapist one on one, you may feel understood, and that your provider empathizes with you. But it isn’t the same as having a core peer group. When you’re among people who have the same issues that you do, there’s a sense of community. Therapy groups can provide a sense of belonging. Everybody is struggling with the same problems you are, and that means that they will understand in a way that an individual therapist may not.
Where do you find group therapy?
Group Therapy happens in substance-abuse treatment, residential settings, or in a private practice setting. With substance-abuse treatment, everybody in the group is working towards a common goal of recovery. Whether they are recovering from alcohol abuse or drug abuse, they are still struggling with recovery from addiction. There is a common core shared life struggle in the group. There are also different kinds of groups, such as dialectical behavior therapy groups or DBT. People in DBT groups are working towards the goal of emotional regulation. Some people may be struggling with anger issues; others may be working on maintaining interpersonal relationships.
Providing encouragement
It’s a great thing when members of the group share a common goal. When one member of the group is down and feeling like they’re having trouble coping with their issues, the other members of the community can encourage them and support them. It’s not just about empathizing, but it’s about helping your community members when they’re feeling down. Group therapy is a wonderful place to feel understood and gain encouragement when you are struggling.
Finding solutions
Another aspect of group therapy that can be extremely helpful is that you may be stuck with a particular problem, and the members of the group can provide insight into that dilemma. Maybe somebody has been through a similar experience to what you’re describing. They provide their perspective, and you may be surprised as to how they got through this life challenge. When you’re stuck, your group members can help. It can be hard to break free, but members of your group will help support you as you come to a solution to your problem even if you feel like you can’t see it.
Fear of group therapy
There are many benefits to group therapy. But you may be afraid to speak about your sensitive issues in front of a group of people. That’s understandable, but there are many types of treatments that work better in a group. For example, DBT (or dialectical behavior therapy) is the most successful when the individual sessions are combined with group therapy. It’s essential to practice the skills that you learned in individual therapy. If you’re having trouble with the skills, you can talk about them in the group. Typically DBT coping strategies are taught in a group setting, and then you discuss them with your individual therapist. But the model works best within a group setting.
Finding help for mental health
If you’re struggling with mental health issues, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Whether you see an individual therapist or seek out group therapy, there is help out there for you. There are different ways to get mental health treatment whether you work with a therapist in your local area or online you must take your mental health seriously. Mental health can impact your physical health. It can also reflect upon your interpersonal relationships. You may be afraid to see a therapist, but once you do, you’ll understand that it can be extremely beneficial and help your life.
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