Group Therapy

I often tell people that group therapy is like individual therapy, but where you get more support, feel less alone, and get to practice some of the relational challenges you experience, in vivo. I recommend group therapy for those who have done substantial individual work, and are ready to take their therapy journey to the next level.

Some common fears that people have are that they will have less time to focus on their needs, or that their issues are not significant enough (and they will be judged). The truth is that a good group learns to self-regulate (with assistance from a therapist) and that everyone will get the time they need over the course of the group. We also learn a great amount through witnessing the therapeutic work of others. There is much self-reflection to be had in group therapy. Most come to group therapy with perfectly acceptable issues to bring. What some consider too big or small, are often highly relatable. The process of finding this out in a group is pretty magical. Since most therapists don’t self-disclose, we don’t often get the experience of relatability in individual therapy. Groups are great places to feel less alone. And you don’t even have to be going through the same things. Connection comes through deepening our understanding of one another, and feeling heard.

Everyone comes to group with a different story. Members get to know one another, and while comparison is normal, it is common to find closeness and acceptance of one another through the process, helping to drop the comparing mind. We don’t often go into depth with people in our day to day lives, especially in an environment that is supported and contained by a professional. Group therapy allows for healing and connection even through more challenging interactions. The hope is that this sense of connection can begin to infiltrate our everyday lives.

My groups are generally long-term unless otherwise specified. It is important to give it a chance, and it sometimes takes six months to a year to see how powerful the group setting can be. I am thoughtful about how I put together groups, and will conduct an in-depth interview with time to answer any questions before I have people join. Please let me know if you would like to learn more.