Group Therapy

What is group psychotherapy?

Group psychotherapy is a form of therapy in which a small number of individuals come together to help each other with emotional distress, relationships, and problems in living. This happens under the guidance of a licensed and trained group therapist.

Group psychotherapy can be a powerful vehicle for growth, healing, and change because it mimics realities or conditions of daily living. Each of us engages in groups every day – in our families, work, school, church, civic associations etc. How many of us can imagine daily life without this interaction with others? Indeed, as much as we may relish the idea of our personal independence, we need others for our health and well-being. As social beings, we no doubt have an innate tendency for intimacy and connection.

Group therapy is based on the idea that we come to understand ourselves through interaction with others. While individual therapy typically helps you process and make sense of relationships you have internalized, group therapy helps you process relationships in the present, with other members of the group. In this way, you may become aware of unhealthy patterns of behavior. Or a familiar feeling may come up in relation with a particular group member, reminding you of someone else in your life. At the same time, you may find relief (and some connection) when you discover that others may have similar experiences.

Fundamentally, groups help in four different ways (Rutan & Stone, 2001):

1. Getting Support - This involves the experience of belonging to a group and being supported by group members. Receiving support has a powerful impact on emotional health in all forms of psychotherapy.
   
   
2. Self-revelation - This involves the release of what you have been holding inside. As most of us know intuitively, “getting stuff off our chest” has real healing benefits.
   
   
3. Learning from others – This occurs naturally through advice, guidance, and modeling of other group members.
   
   
4. Internal psychological work – This involves interpersonal learning, the recognition of internal conflicts, and self-understanding.

Research has indicated that group therapy can be as effective as individual therapy. In addition, because multiple members share the cost of a session, it is less expensive.

How do your groups work?

My approach to group therapy is oriented in psychodynamic theory. For a general overview of psychodynamic theory, please refer to the Philosophy & Approach page.

Groups range from 6 to 8 members in size. Sessions are once per week and are 90 minutes in duration. Groups are long-term and open-ended; in other words, individuals are added to the group when members leave, maintaining the core size over time.

How do I join a group?

My goal in forming a group is to optimize group dynamics so as to increase the likelihood that you get the help you came for. It is also important to understand that not everyone will benefit from group therapy. Therefore, I select members carefully and sensitively. I make every attempt to keep groups comprised equally of both men and women.

After you contact me, I will set up a 50 minute individual consultation. The purpose of this consultation is for me to understand your issues and assess your needs. I will make an evaluation regarding your appropriateness for a particular group and/or group therapy in general. When you are matched to a group, I will send you a group agreement to look over and sign. We can discuss any questions you may have over the phone before the group starts.