What is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a psychological therapy that involves one or more trained psychologists (therapist) working with several people at the same time. The people in the group usually have similar concerns and meet regularly to interact with each other. Group therapy is usually a part of a treatment plan that may include medication and individual therapy.
Indications for Group Therapy
Group therapy is usually indicated for psychological problems including:
- Social anxiety
- Depression
- Panic disorders
- Substance abuse
- Eating disorders
Group therapy also helps people with grief and loss, shyness, loneliness, anger, and low self-esteem.
Group Therapy Procedure
The procedure may involve the following steps:
- The group members meet for an hour or two per week.
- Your therapist may suggest a common topic for discussion.
- Each member in the group may be allowed to address specific problems like the type of fear they feel.
- You may feel uncomfortable at first but slowly involve in the discussion as common issues are discussed. The information you share in the group is confidential.
- Your therapist gives feedback to help you make positive changes in your life.
- The members learn to develop positive behaviors as they recover.
Disadvantages of Group Therapy
Disadvantages are few but you may experience:
- Inadequate level of attention
- Privacy violations
- Difficulty sharing personal information
Advantages of Group Therapy
- Group therapy involves scientifically proven strategies to manage specific problems.
- It builds confidence as you observe other members recovering from the same problem.
- The members of the group help each other by sharing information and experiences. This helps to tackle a situation in different positive ways.
- The group setting is a safe place to avoid destructive behavior and learn positive skills.
- It develops interactive behavior to help people with shyness or loneliness.
- It also helps relieve guilt, pain, and stress.
Contraindications of Group Therapy
Group therapy is not be recommended to those experiencing suicidal tendencies.