Group Therapy For Personal Growth

By Rosella Campbell


Many times individuals come to counseling with feelings of guilt and shame because they feel like they are alone in their struggles. Hearing the voices of others with similar stories can alleviate some of those anxieties. Group therapy is an excellent tool for individuals to engage in when they are in need of help overcoming personal challenges. It can be helpful to recovery to hear stories of other people who are experiencing the same struggles

Hearing the stories of others can often help individuals understand themselves better. This is why groups can be very meaningful ways to help individuals cope with their circumstances. Although members may join at different stages of personal contentment, each stage can offer support to another. A person who has just experienced the loss of a loved one may be able to feel hope after hearing how another member has coped with their loss.

A small group of not more than twelve individuals provides an atmosphere of intimacy that is not often seen in groups with more members. Their are various topics that can be the focus. Many times the original topic will open up other barriers to happiness. Individuals come together with a common theme that may include the loss of a loved one, divorce, sexuality issues or social skills.

Therapists act as a facilitator and are not there to provide any personal stories or advice. Instead, much like individual counseling, the therapist acts a guide. Counselors will often challenge the group or individual members to think about consequences of their choices. Likewise, the counselor will ensure that members stay on topic and that no one member is monopolizing conversation.

Establishing an atmosphere of trust with each member of the group is extremely important. The facilitator's role is to create an atmosphere that is safe and welcoming to share intimate details about ones experiences. One key component of running a successful group is to stress the importance of confidentiality. Each member must agree to keep everything that is said in session confidential and not share with anyone outside of the people who are in session. Breaking this rule often results in immediate dismissal.

Therapists are trained in the profession of counseling and often hold a masters degree or higher. Within their education, counselors come to understand human behavior, thought patterns and obstacles to success. They are trained in the art of talk therapy and use various tools that will challenge strong willed individuals who cannot see how their behaviors or thoughts are effecting their happiness.

Different from individual counseling, in a setting with multiple people counselors must have the ability to confront members who are out of line, diffuse stressful situations, and keep the group cohesive. Also very important is to ensure that each member gets an equal amount of talk time and that no one member is dominating conversation.

To find this type of therapy, individuals can look in many locations, including Tulsa, OK. To be successful, individuals must be able to divulge details about their experiences and struggles. Members should also have an open mind to take insight from other members.




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