Group therapy
What is group therapy? Is it effective?
Group therapy is an alternative method of psychotherapy which is considered as effective as individual psychotherapy. No other type or form of psychotherapy can offer such degree of reassurance that we are not alone when facing specific challenges or situations as group psychotherapy does. Our participation in the group offers us the sense of ‘belonging’ as we realise that we have many of the same needs and future ‘targets’ as other members of our group.
Additionally, it can prove extremely helpful to be close to people who share similar experiences with us and who have ‘walked into similar paths’ and are already ‘into the next step’ as their path can help us figure out how we can arrive ‘there’ ourselves. Group psychotherapy can offer us the ideal opportunity to discuss, test and rule out the choices we have in mind. It is no coincidence that group psychotherapy is compared to a ‘dress rehearsal’ – testing a behaviour or idea before we present it to the ‘real world.’
What I need to know about the process
It is important to note that any individual who is interested in joining the group must have at least two initial individual sessions with the psychotherapist. The final decision of whether the individual will enter the group will be a joint decision of the individual and the psychotherapist. Before group therapy is initiated, each member must accept the rules and obligations that exist and relate to the code of practice and the fact that maintaining confidentiality during and after the group therapy comes to an end is a non-negotiable condition of participation. These rules are important because through them we can ensure that every member has the opportunity to open up in a safe space and feel confident that everything they decide to share will remain within the group. Only under these conditions, can any therapeutic process operate.