I love group therapy because I believe it is the best at expediting the healing journey.
We live our lives in connection with others including family, work and friends.
So, healing works best in the company of others.
By the group we have been broken, by the group we shall be healed.
Unknown
Is group therapy for you?
Group therapy is for you if you are wanting to
- feel better
- improve relationships
- feel less anxious and more grounded
- feel more connected to yourself
- evaluate your internal programming and make some edits
You want to know yourself more deeply so that you can create what you are wanting to create in the world.
How can group therapy help you?
If you are seeking growth and want to accelerate your healing, group therapy is a beautiful opportunity for you.
People often choose group therapy because they want a deeper look inside themselves.
The types of people who really do well in group:
- they want to grow
- they want to go after the most efficient way to uncover underlying root issues
- they want to reprogram, change, adapt, come up with new solutions to old problems or come up with creative solutions for new problems.
It is in a group that we gain the opportunity to see ourselves through another person's eyes, to realize how we behave in connection with others, to observe how we operate as a collective.
Our individual lives are shaped by groups including family and community, therefore, “healing is most effective in the company of others.”
Liz White MEd, TEP
Working in a group
The size of a group session is usually around six to ten people maxing out at ten.
Typically, we meet in person every week.
I know it can be intimidating to discuss more sensitive or vulnerable issues with a larger group and that is why I pay particular attention to building safety and trust.
There are many things we do to allow each member to feel supported and to feel known.
Oftentimes, we'll break up into pairs and share things as we are building trust with one another.
Group doesn't mean that you will love everybody in the group.
However, this gives you the opportunity to navigate various levels of attraction with other people and get clarity for yourself.
For instance, how do you hold on to yourself in situations where someone does something that you don’t like?
Or can you connect with someone or step into their shoes even if something they do is not in your value system?
What happens during each group therapy session?
Each group session has three parts, the warm up, action and sharing.
In the warm up phase of the group, we build safety and cohesion connecting with one another. Then we find out what the central concern of the group is for that particular session.
Next, we go into the action phase.
We get volunteers who would like to share their stories with the group and have the support of the group to do so.
They show us what they want to work on.
It could be developing parts of themselves, dealing with feeling less anxious or improving their relationship with parts of themselves or with relationships outside of themselves.
They will oftentimes ask other group members to support them during the work.
The last phase of the group is the sharing phase.
And this is where the other group members relate with the stories that have been shared, how those stories have touched his or her own life, and how they resonate.
Unlike traditional groups, we do not analyze each other or give each other feedback, but we do share how we can connect and how their work touched us.
Oftentimes, even people who are supporting the stories or just being audience members witnessing the work report, getting a tremendous amount out of being a part of the group process.
Take the first step by scheduling a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss group therapy.
I look forward to hearing from you.
We cannot do alone, what is ours to do together.
Author Unknown
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people will there be in each group session?
A group will consist of six to ten people, but will not exceed ten people.
Why groups over 1-on-1?
Groups are the most efficient and effective modality for change.
How long is each group session?
90 minutes
Do we always have to meet in-person or can we opt for a virtual session instead?
Group sessions are offered in-person at 2557 Broadway Street, Boulder, CO 80304.
Drop me an email if you are interested in joining group virtual sessions.
What if I can’t make it for my appointment?
You are responsible to give prior notice to the group session if you cannot attend. There is no cancellation policy for group therapy.
Group members commit to on-going attendance and will be charged for the full group session as a no show for a scheduled session.
If you arrive 15 minutes late for a session, it is considered a no show. If you wish to terminate sessions, you have to provide at least one week’s notice.
Can I switch from group therapy to one-to-one therapy?
Yes. If you find that group is not for you, we can discuss transitioning to individual therapy.
What are typical results of committing to group therapy?
Feeling a greater connection to self and others, more peace and improved mood.
How quickly can people see results from group therapy?
Usually, you can expect to see results within 4 group sessions.
If you commit to at least 3 months of group, you’ll experience more significant structural changes.
What if I don't like someone from the group?
Group serves as a microcosm for the outside world and gives us the skills to navigate the world more seamlessly. It is often true that we don’t like everyone we interact with, work with or even our family.
Conflict and tension in the group is an opportunity to navigate how to handle our feelings and hold onto ourselves while remaining in connection with others. Not liking someone is likely an opportunity for personal growth.
What if I feel uncomfortable opening up in front of strangers?
There is significant time and attention paid to building safety and trust among group members.
Each member is supported to take their time in revealing about themselves at a pace that feels right to them.
The beauty of the group is that participants often receive great benefits just by being present and attentive at each session.