Group therapy is an effective treatment for many mental health issues. It involves participating in alternative group therapy sessions with others experiencing problems similar to yours. If you’re interested in exploring this option, here are some tips on how to find the right group for you.
What is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a form of counseling that helps individuals with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. These sessions are moderated by a trained counselor, psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker. Alternative group therapy allows participants to discuss their problems in a supportive, understanding and accepting environment.
This setting is beneficial as it allows members to share experiences and helps build trust. Participants feel more connected to one another, which can lead to boosts in confidence (and therefore mood and behavior.) It also provides clients with resources they cannot find on their own, like support groups and advocacy networks.
There are many places to find group therapy. Hospitals or clinics often offer group therapy as part of their services. You may also look for community centers or agencies that provide individualized treatment plans for mental health issues. You also have the option of face-to-face sessions, while others prefer online sessions or phone groups.
Steps for Finding Group Therapy:
Step 1: Finding a Therapist
Begin by finding an experienced therapist who is licensed by your state. They should have good communication and interpersonal skills that help you feel comfortable when discussing personal issues with them. After evaluating your case, the therapist can refer you to a group that will best support your specific needs.
Step 2: Choosing the Best Treatment for Your Needs
Some popular kinds of group therapy include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This is the most common type of group therapy. It helps improve mindsets through exercises that examine one’s feelings and thoughts more positively.
- Integrative psychotherapy: These sessions are spent combining strategies from types of therapy so that group members can sample various methods, and find things that work well for them.
- Psychoeducational group therapy: Sessions combine education and support to help people dealing with specific issues, like PTSD and addiction treatment.
- Support and self-help groups: These groups are intended to provide participants with social support, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Research widely to find the best fit for your needs and personality preferences. Your therapist can provide advice to enable you to make an informed decision.
Step 3: Consider the Location
If you’re looking for group therapy you can attend in person, the meeting location should be easily accessible. You can try online sessions if you can’t find one close to you.
Step 4: Confirm Your Availability
Be aware of the time commitment required. Treatment can last anywhere from one session to several months of consistent meetings, so factor that into your schedule. Avoid scheduling sessions with potentially consistent conflicts; this defeats the reliability therapy is meant to provide you.
Step 5: Budget vs. Cost
Before you sign up for group psychotherapy, calculate how much you’ll need to cover all sessions. Remain within your budget! Check whether your insurance provider covers treatment, as this could help cut costs.
How To Make the Best of Alternative Group Therapy
There are a few things to keep in mind when participating in group therapy:
- Be open and receptive to the other members. This means being kind, honest, and listening carefully.
- Share your experiences, feelings, and thoughts with the group. This vulnerability enables you to release pent-up stress and frustrations, and work through the issues affecting you.
- Strive to attend and complete all group sessions. If you’re struggling to keep up with the sessions, let your therapist know so they can recommend adjustments to your session, or recommend other sessions altogether.
Remember that group treatment sessions can sometimes be challenging. Everyone has different experiences and opinions, which may make for heated discussions. Changes don’t happen overnight, and it may take some time for the group to benefit from each other’s differences in perspective fully.
Inform your therapist or counselor if you find it challenging to participate in a group setting. They can provide you with extra guidance and support during your sessions.
Find the Help You Need
Through the sharing of experiences and the support of other participants, group therapy can help you better understand yourself. To learn more about alternative group therapy, consult a therapist to determine the best group options for your needs.
