GROUP THERAPY

If you're considering attending therapy, is group therapy the right option for you? Depending on the nature of your problem, group therapy can be an ideal choice for addressing your concerns and making positive changes in your life. Group therapy involves one or more providers leading a small group of individuals. Typically, groups meet for an hour or two each week. Some people attend individual therapy in addition to groups, while others participate in groups only. Many groups are designed to target a specific problem, such as anger management, trauma, social skills, parenting groups and much more.

Joining a group of strangers may sound intimidating at first, but group therapy provides benefits that individual therapy may not. Providers say, in fact, that group members are almost always surprised by how rewarding the group experience can be. Groups can act as a support network and a sounding board. Other members of the group often help you come up with specific ideas for improving a difficult situation or life

challenge, and can hold you accountable along the way. Regularly talking and listening to others also helps you put your own problems in perspective. Many people experience mental health difficulties, but few speak openly about them to people they don't know well. Often times, you may feel like you are the only one struggling but you're not. It can be a relief to hear others discuss what they're going through, and realize you're not alone. Diversity is another important benefit of group therapy. People have different personalities and backgrounds, and they look at situations in different ways. By seeing how other people tackle problems and make positive changes, you can discover a whole range of strategies for facing your own concerns.

While group members are a valuable source of support, formal group therapy sessions offer benefits beyond informal self-help and support groups. Group therapy sessions are led by one or more providers with specialized training, who teach group members proven strategies for managing specific problems. If you're involved in an anger-management group, for instance, your provider will describe scientifically tested strategies for controlling anger. That expert guidance can help you make the most of your group therapy experience. Contact us today to learn more about group therapy.