Therapy Groups
The University
Counseling Center offers group therapy services in addition to individual and
couples counseling. For many clients, group therapy is the best treatment
option for their present concerns, or a beneficial addition to their ongoing
individual treatment. If you haven’t been in group therapy before, you probably
have questions about what it will be like.
Group therapy is one
of many different therapy approaches. In group therapy, approximately 5-12
individuals meet face-to-face with a trained group therapist(s) for a
designated number of sessions. During the group sessions, members take responsibility
for their situation by talking about what is troubling them. Members are
encouraged to give feedback to others which means expressing your own feelings
about what someone says or does. Interaction between group members is
encouraged and provides each person with an opportunity to learn new things
about themselves and try out new ways of behaving. Group therapy is unique in
that provides an emotionally safe place to talk about issues. All group members
are instructed that the content of group sessions is confidential so whatever
is said in group, stays in group.
When you interact
freely with other group members, you often experience those difficulties that
led you to pursue therapy. Group therapy lets members develop new interpersonal
skills and see that they are not alone. Group members give each other support,
offer alternatives and new ideas, or gently confront each other when needed to
help resolve problems. It can be encouraging to realize that other people
struggle with the same kinds of issues that you are experiencing.
Topics of
conversation in group usually start with those concerns that led you to call
the University Counseling Center and request services. Talk about what is bothering
you and ask the group for support. Invite other members to give you feedback
about issues you bring up and share your feelings as freely as you can.
Unexpressed needs and feelings can be a major source of distress. In the safety
of group, you can often learn to express feelings that have been very hard to
express in other areas of your life. This kind of sharing is called
self-disclosure. You decide how much and how deeply you share. If you have
questions about what to share or how to do so, consider asking the group.
Your group will
discuss ground rules or norms so that each member will know what is expected
and feel safe in sharing. Individual groups often establish their own norms,
but there are some general guidelines that all groups follow. These guidelines
include maintaining confidentiality, attending group and notifying a member or
leader when you will be absent, saying goodbye to the group in session if you
decide to discontinue group, and taking responsibility for sharing and asking
for what you need in group.
The leaders of the
group you are considering to join will contact you to schedule an individual
screening session prior to the first group session. This meeting is an
opportunity for you to ask questions and for the leaders to determine if this
group is appropriate for you at this time. We look forward to your
participation in a University Counseling Center group!