Group Therapy CHARLOTTE NC
Groups can act as a supportive network and as a sounding board for many people, allowing them to receive encouragement from other individuals within the group.
Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which one or more therapists work with several individuals at the same time. It’s sometimes used alone, but is most often included in an overall treatment strategy that also incorporates individual therapy.
The formal definition of group therapy is, “a form of psychotherapy in which a group of patients meets to describe and discuss their problems together under the supervision of a therapist.”
Because group therapy involves a diverse set of people, it can also allow members to see their issues from a different perspective, allowing them to gain new insight and problem-solving techniques. This diversity and new insight often lead to group members becoming role models for each other and can help them to see that it does get better.
Group therapy also benefits the therapists involved by letting them see how each person in the group responds in social settings and how each person interacts with other individuals. The therapists can then use these findings to further assist their clients on a more one-on-one basis.
Group therapy can be divided into a variety of types depending on the condition and the clinical technique that will be used during therapy.
Below are examples of some of the most common kinds of group therapy:
Cognitive Behavioral Groups
These groups focus on identifying and shifting altered patterns of thinking, behavior, and emotions.
Interpersonal Groups
Interpersonal relationships can have a huge impact on mental health. As such, interpersonal group therapy focuses on relationships and communication skills between people, including social interactions.
Psychoeducation Groups
This type of group therapy typically consists of individuals who have the same diagnosis/disorder and uses elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Psychoeducation groups focus on educating individuals within the group on their disorders as well as their coping mechanisms. Psychoeducation groups are common for anxiety and phobia therapy.
Skills Development Groups
Skills Development Groups help foster good social and life skills. Often used for individuals with substance use disorders and developmental disabilities, Skills Development Groups can help individuals who are coping with heightened feelings of stress or anger as well and can help prevent relapses in cases of substance use by providing a safety net of peers who understand what you are going through.
Support Groups
Support Groups are used for individuals who are facing a variety of mental health-related conditions. Support Groups are also used to help family members or loved ones of those that are experiencing mental health conditions. Support Groups can be used as motivational tools, a means of support, and as soundboards for sharing stories of triumphs, strategies and techniques with your peers that may be experiencing similar difficulties. Support Groups should not be used as a replacement for treatment but as a supplement or counterpart to treatment during one’s overall recovery process.
Support Groups are used for individuals who are facing a variety of mental health-related conditions. Support Groups are also used to help family members or loved ones of those that are experiencing mental health conditions. Support Groups can be used as motivational tools, a means of support, and as soundboards for sharing stories of triumphs, strategies and techniques with your peers that may be experiencing similar difficulties. Support Groups should not be used as a replacement for treatment but as a supplement or counterpart to treatment during one’s overall recovery process.
How long does group therapy usually last in totality (a month, a year, or longer)?
With group therapy sessions, timing can vary. Most groups last about 8-10 weeks in total. Other groups go on longer, and may even take breaks over certain periods such as summer, winter, or holidays.
Do participants of group therapy meet with the same group each time or does the group change?
There are two categories of group therapy: open therapy groups, and closed groups.
Open Group Meetings
Open Group Meetings are meetings that have no set members. New members are allowed to join at any time.
Closed Group Meetings
Closed Group Meetings are meetings with a set group of individuals who always meet together. New members are not allowed to join at any time with the other members of closed groups.
How alike are the group members?
Groups usually work best when members experience similar difficulties and function at similar levels.