How Does a Professionally Led Group Work?
The group therapist selects people (usually 10 to 12) who have expressed interest in the group and are likely to be helped by the group experience. The therapist also assesses for compatibility. Utilizing our completely confidential andd HIPPA compliant software, people connect virtually and are encouraged to talk with each other in a spontaneous and honest fashion. The professionally trained group therapist provides productive examination of the issues or concerns affecting the individuals and the group and guides the discussion.
If Someone Is In A Group, Do They Also Need Individual Therapy?
It depends on the individual. Sometimes group therapy is used as the main or only treatment approach. Sometimes it’s used along with individual therapy. Often people find that working simultaneously in both group and individual therapy stimulates growth in mutually complementary ways.
Why Is Group Therapy Useful?
When someone is thinking about joining a group, it’s normal to have questions or concerns. Some questions include:
What am I going to get out of this?
Will there be enough time to deal with my own problems in a group setting?
What if I don’t like the people in my group?
Besides being cost effective, joining a group is useful because it provides opportunities to learn with and from other people, to understand one’s own patterns of thought and behavior and those of others, and to perceive how group members react to one another. We live and interact with people every day and often there are things we experience or grapple with that can be beneficial to share with others. In group therapy, you learn that perhaps you’re not as different as you think you are, or that you’re not alone. You’ll meet and interact with people, and the whole group learns to work on shared problems — one of the most beneficial aspects.
Will I Have To Talk A Lot In The Group?
The more you involve yourself in the group, the more you’ll get out of it. Involvement however does not equal time spent in verbal communication. It is perfectly fine to silently consider your own thoughts and feelings in the group setting. Contributing your own thoughts and feelings as you are willing and able to, certainly serves to enrich the experience of others who might benefit from your input.
Bottom line though: The amount of time that one spends talking does not equate with benefit gained from the group experience.
Will There Be People With Similar Problems In My Group?
The professional therapist’s role and responsibility is to evaluate each member’s problems prior to forming the group. Usually there is a mix of members who can learn from each other. While some members will have similar circumstances, it’s not necessary for all members in the group to be dealing with exactly the same concern.
What Kind Of Commitment Do I Need To Make?
The time commitment depends on the type of group and the nature and extent of your concerns. Our groups are devoted to concrete issues and can last anywhere from 8 to 10 weeks. There are also more open-ended groups in which members work at their own pace and leave when their particular needs or goals have been met.
What If I Feel Uncomfortable Discussing My Problems In Front Of Others?
It’s not unusual to feel uneasy or embarrassed when first joining a group, but soon you begin to develop feelings of interest and trust. Most people find that group therapy provides a great deal of relief because it allows them a chance to talk with others who are experiencing similar problems — in a private, confidential setting. It is important that each group member take their contractual agreement to confidentiality seriously. The good thing about being online, is that most people don’t know one another previously and will likely never interact with them again outside of the group dynamics. Nonetheless, confidentiality is still expected. Many people who have experienced group therapy believe that working together with others is helpful and they feel better by participating in this form of therapy.
What Does Group Cost?
The cost varies depending on the type of therapist and perhaps even the geographic area of the country. Typically, group therapy is about half the price of individual therapy. My fees for group therapy are $50 per group member for 90 minute sessions.
