Group Psychotherapy — The Psychology Practice

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What is Group Psychotherapy? 

What’s the big deal with Group Therapy? (Click to Watch)

Here are 11 curative or therapeutic reasons why it is such a powerful way to manage our individual issues by being with others.

Group psychotherapy is an evidenced based form of psychotherapy that consists of a group of individuals, usually between 4 to 15, and 1 or 2 group therapists. Typically, the group meets for 1 to 2 hours for an agreed upon number of sessions. Prior to the first group session, the group therapist will meet/speak to group members individually to discuss the nature of the group, clarify areas they would like to work on in the group and address concerns that may arise from being in a group setting. 

Depending on the purpose of the group, the group may focus on learning specific skills ranging from parenting, anxiety, and mood management. It can also focus on helping group members learn more about themselves and how they relate with others through a process of receiving and giving feedback to one another. This process of giving and receiving feedback helps group members experiment with new behaviours and new ways of relating to others in and outside of the group which consequently leads to more authentic and fulfilling relationships in their personal lives.

Group psychotherapy is also a powerful source of support network as one experiments with new behaviours and skills. Being able to share authentically about one’s difficulties in a safe group setting can be very healing in itself. The diversity offered by a group, with people from different walks of life and different viewpoints, provides a rich experience which individual psychotherapy is unable to offer. 

Three Common Group Therapy Myths

 

Myth 1: "I do not feel comfortable talking and sharing my problems with a group of strangers."

TPP: Everyone experiences some discomfort starting in a group and in fact, some groups are aimed at this concern. Over time, people find that the longer they commit to the group experience, the more comfortable and easy it becomes to share. Co-creating emotional safety would also be part of the work that we would do as a group.

Members report looking forward to attending group each week given the connections they create with each other. This can become a sense of pride and confidence as you create or build upon the skill of expressing yourself. Being able to have the ability to express yourself in any setting, when you choose to, can also feel empowering and liberating.

Myth 2: "In group I'm expected to disclose my deepest secrets."

TPP: You will be encouraged to share at a level that feels comfortable to you. It is common to feel uncomfortable at times when sharing, though most find their level of safety and willingness to talk increases as the group progresses. You may be invited by the group therapist or other members to discuss your reactions or personal concerns, but you will never be forced to do or share something you do not want to. While many group members have reported feeling relief or an increased sense of understanding and acceptance after their disclosures, it is accomplished within their personal time frame.

Myth 3: "If I am in a group, I will not get enough attention or may not get my needs met."

TPP: Group members are often surprised by the material they can cover in group or how their needs are frequently met even when others are speaking. Being open to recognizing how your own experiences may be related or how you can connect with another member can also help you to learn from others and to facilitate personal growth. If you notice a pattern where your needs are unmet you, you may experiment with ways you can get your needs met during group. This may include asking the group for what you want or sharing your concerns regarding this topic aloud.

 

TPP Groups Available

  • Rekindling Authenticity is a brief, integrative, interpersonal process group for individuals who are experiencing interpersonal distress or difficulties and are looking for ways to improve and become more flexible in the ways they relate with others, whether it is with their family, partners, friends or colleagues. The group runs for 8 weekly sessions and typically consists of 4-8 individuals and 2 group therapists. 

    Prior to group, you will meet one of the group therapists for 1 to 2 individual sessions so that the therapist can get an understanding of your difficulties and to discuss how the group will be able to help address the difficulties you are experiencing. Time will also be spent on discussing group expectations and any concerns or questions about participating in the group. There will also be an individual session to review and consolidate the gains made in group after completion of the group. 

  • "It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure." - Joseph Campbell

    Lionhearted is a brief 8-week group therapy program based on transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral principles. Research demonstrates that it is an effective form of psychotherapy for emotional conditions such as depression, social anxiety and generalised anxiety by addressing the common psychological factors underpinning these conditions and emphasising interpersonal learning. 

    There will be 1 pre-group assessment session where we will discuss about goals and address any reservations you may have regarding group sessions as well as 1 debriefing session at the end of group to review and consolidate gains.

    The skills covered in the group includes:

    • Defining meaningful life values 

    • Identifying and adopting more balanced perspectives 

    • Bold moves aligned with identified life values 

    The group is beneficial for people who are:

    • Experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety (mild to moderate severity)

    • Open to learning CBT skills in an engaging and interactive manner 

    • Willing to engage in interpersonal group processes 

    • No immediate issues related to risk and is not in an acute state of crisis

    • Able to commit to all 8 sessions and between session practice tasks 

  • Designed for Parents, Caregivers & Teachers

    The Circle of Security-Parenting™ Program is used around the world with caregivers and we get a lot of inquiries about applying the model with other important relationships. In fact, the program works equally well for increasing awareness of attachment with childcare providers, foster parents, and classroom teachers. With the support and guidance of a Registered COSP™ Facilitator, the COSP™ program offers carers an understanding of the complexity of the attachment system and how it contributes to infants and toddlers developing a sense of security and competence. Once carers learn about COSP™ through the eight-chapter reflection program, they can use the Circle as a roadmap to understand patterns of attachment. When put into the context of relationships with carers, COSP™ helps build understanding of how important relationships in the lives of children, in addition to parents, contribute to constructing meaning within relationship and between other children.

    Learning to apply the Circle to children in their care will help carers shift the focus away from trying to change undesirable behaviours with rewards and punishment to seeing behaviour as communication of a need on the Circle and changing the behaviour by meeting the need. Soon enough, carers will be able to explore new ways to respond sensitively to children’s cues and even gain insight regarding ways to manage their own struggles around certain attachment needs. In sum, the COSP™ program offers carers new ways to understand the children in their care and new ways to understand how to meet those children’s attachment needs which, in turn, leads to carers with a more confident presence and children who are more cooperative and compliant.

    What is COS-P?

    Circle of Security® Parenting™ (COSP), uses an eight-chapter video-based series. Designed for parents, the program works equally well for increasing childcare providers’ awareness of attachment. Provided by a Registered COSP Facilitator, the program offers carers an understanding of the reciprocal relationship between the attachment and exploratory systems; offers a roadmap to understand patterns of attachment; shifts the focus from ways to extinguish undesirable behaviours to seeing behaviour as communication of a need; explores ways to respond sensitively to children’s cues; and offers insight to caregivers of ways to manage their own struggles around certain attachment needs.

    Read more about COS-P here.

  • Art Therapy is a specialised area of mental health that uses art materials and the creative process to explore emotions, reduce anxiety, increase self-esteem, and resolve other psychological conflicts. The American Art Therapy Association states that art therapy can be an effective mental health treatment for individuals who have experienced depression, trauma, medical illness, and social difficulties. Making art in therapy can be a way to achieve personal insight as well as healing.

    There’s more to art therapy than simply “drawing your feelings.” Art therapists are trained to lead people through the creative process in a therapeutic way. Just as your doctor may prescribe a medication or behavioural change to aid your physical healing, your art therapist offers art-based therapy interventions that are tailored to your needs. As with every aspect of therapy, the choice to engage with specific types of materials will ultimately be up to you.

    “Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.” — Pablo Picasso

Contact us with us for more information today.