5 Benefits of Group Psychotherapy
If you are at all like me, maybe you think group therapy is just NOT for you. Who wants to spend their time listening to others talk about their problems? I used to think, “Groups? Groups are the worst!” But the truth is, in life, we are continually navigating our ways in and out of groups (work, family, school, trainings, etc.) so maybe a little help and practice in the area of life might be a good thing.
I have completely changed my dread of group therapy after being in therapy groups for seven years now. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Group psychotherapy has changed my life!! Group therapy is where the magic happens. Therapeutically, our most profound personal shifts are made possible in group psychotherapy.
What is an interpersonal psychotherapy process group?
This is a weekly or bi-weekly group meeting with the same members (closed group), often limited in size, depending on the number of leaders. Members agree to try to put their thoughts and feelings into words (rather than act them out). This is a place where members strive to take emotional risks and attempt to step outside their comfort zones.
The purpose of a psychotherapy group is for members to learn more about themselves and improve their interpersonal relationships.
Individual therapy is excellent, however group therapy allows for an exploration of interpersonal dynamics. Dynamics that arise within the therapy group often occur outside of the group as well.
2. Group therapy is a place to explore specific dynamics with others, often to learn effective interpersonal communications that might be challenging you in your everyday life.
Group therapy accesses our first experiences in a group, that group being our family of origin. In our families, we learn how to express love, anger, grief, etc. We learn what parts of ourselves are and aren’t acceptable to show at home. We often take on a role in the family (golden child, lost one, jester, truth-teller, hero, scapegoat).
3. Group therapy presents opportunities to heal relationally. We can break through the barriers of the past and practice different ways of being in the here and now.
Say you were always a “wallflower” growing up and you want to shift this, group therapy is a place to practice and try on different ways of being in world within the confines of group first.
Group therapy can be a place to get feedback on how you are being “received” in a non-threatening environment. For example, group members can help us see how we are impacting others in the group by getting direct feedback and provide reassurance to our fears of being rejected by others. Group therapy offers an experimental place to “check things out with others.” Hey, when I say that comment, how did that land with you?
4. Group therapy is a place to practice sharing your thoughts and feelings.
Guess what? Emotions are complex and dynamic and often are very nuanced. So like most things, the more practice to better. If you don’t know how you feel, that is 100% okay and normal. It takes time, attention, and awareness to cultivate and then articulate to others, who we are and how we feel on an authentic, emotionally-connected level.
5. The more we talk about our thoughts, feelings, associations, fantasies, reactions, and impulses, the less likely we are to act on them.
That suppressing and avoiding thoughts and feelings and only gives them fuel.
Group therapy is a place to practice talking about yourself and your experiences. Ultimately, giving you more choice when it comes to taking action in our lives. In group psychotherapy, we “put our thoughts and feelings into words.” And hold the agreement, not to take action in the group (this includes hugging, physical contact of any kind, reacting in demonstrative ways, walking out, etc.) Group psychotherapy provides a place to slow down and articulate feelings as they arise. “I am noticing the impulse to comfort you right now.” (Without actually taking action). Group psychotherapy allows us to study ourselves and get curious about our experiences, what could be better than that?!
Group therapy is a great way to transition from intensive individual therapy and get continued support. Also, psychotherapy is quite expensive, and group therapy can be a great alternative to costly, individual psychotherapy.
If anything about the article piques your interest, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would love to talk to you more about your experiences in the group, your interests, and see if you might be a good fit for a group!