Sunday, July 6, 2014

Group Therapy For Emotional Healing

By Rosella Campbell


Engaging in counseling with other members who have gone through similar struggles creates an atmosphere of cohesiveness. Group therapy not only allows Individuals to experience personal growth through self exploration, but to also learning about the experiences of others can aid in recovery. Additionally, because guilt and shame are common feelings, talking with others alleviates some of these feelings and helps the person to feel normal and safe in sharing their experiences and struggles.

When a person feels as if they are not alone they are often more apt to open up about their struggles. Hearing stories about how other people have faced similar circumstances can help each member to understand their own struggles and feel less fearful in opening up. Many times, members join at different stages. Some may never have experienced any counseling, while others may have been working with a counselor for years. Many times different stages of recovery can help the members to grow stronger.

Groups should consist of between six to twelve individuals. Often the size depends on the topic. More intense topics, such as anger, may be more useful with a smaller number. Regardless of whether groups consist of six or twelve people, they are more productive than larger groups because they provide an atmosphere of intimacy where every member can have a chance to speak. Many times individuals may come to discuss divorce, death or loss, or another topic.

Having a trained mental health facilitator is imperative to keeping the members focused and on topic. Most therapists have experience in one on one counseling. These professionals translate their skills into the group realm by making sure members stay focused on their goals, diffuse conflicts that may arise, and to ensure that every member gets an equal opportunity to speak.

Because sharing struggles can be very intimidating to many people, especially in a setting of six to twelve other people, it is the role of the counselor to take time to establish rapport and trust within the group. All members must agree to keep everything that is said confidential. This is an extremely important component of counseling in small groups. If a member ever breaks confidentiality than they are most likely to be immediately asked to leave.

Counselors who facilitate groups are trained as mental health professionals. These professionals have had years of schooling focused on understanding behaviors. They are given tools that will help them challenge difficult behaviors and use reflective listening as a way of guiding clients to make healthy choices.

Facilitating a counseling group and counseling an individual require different sets of skills. While counseling an individual, the therapist must be able to challenge behaviors and be present in their clients unique struggles. In a group setting the counselor must be able to maintain cohesion throughout the members and be sure not to focus on any one person. Likewise, the therapist must be aware of any behaviors that are exhibited in the session that threaten the willingness of other members to engage.

Tulsa, OK and many other locations offer this type of counseling. Individuals must be willing to open up about their own struggles if they expect to gain success. Equally important is the desire to provide insight that may help other members.




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