Group Therapy
Group Therapy
Group therapy is a form of Psycho-therapy provided by one or more therapists at a time to a group of 5 to 15 people at a time. It usually lasts 1-2 hours and is done once a week. Members can join the Open Group at any time, while a closed group consists of a specific group in which everyone participates at the same time. We at Veda consider this as a major tool and extensively use it across our luxury rehabs in India.
Group therapy goals:
- Psychotherapy helps you learn about yourself, your emotions, and the impact on your relationship with yourself. Group therapy is explored through interpersonal relationships within the group.
- If you have a mental illness or emotional problem, you may be Group therapy helps ensure that you are not alone in your struggle.
- Helps identify inconsistent behaviour when there are groups and facilitators, and helps you compare and work with your own behaviour.
- This is an opportunity to share feelings, shake hands and provide support. It enables a sense of sharing and helps reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Group therapy is useful when:
Group therapy can be applied to a variety of situations, especially social skills such as interpersonal relationships and self-assertion training, but there are certain clinical areas that can particularly benefit from group dynamics.
Addiction
When trying to overcome addiction, as in the case of groups of survivors and people with similar experiences, family support may not be found. Listening to how others treat it, learning interpersonal skills, and knowing how your behavior affects others is your way to overcome addiction. It’s a journey.
Fear
Managing fear can affect interpersonal relationships and may seem intimidating at first, but it builds social skills and interacts with people who understand them. It may be helpful to know that you are not alone and to hear how others are dealing with their anxiety.
Depression
People dealing with depression may feel vulnerable and isolated. Leaving home and talking to others is always helpful, especially in group therapy sessions. Reaching out to others with similar problems, discussing coping mechanisms, and providing unique advice can help build self-esteem.
OCD
With OCD, being alone at the time of your thoughts and anxiety can cause symptoms. Talking to others who understand your feelings and behavior can help you better understand your condition. Together you will find ways to support and deal with each other.
Difficulty in Relationships
Participating in group therapy is useful when it is difficult to build and maintain relationships. Interacting with others on a regular basis can help you develop interpersonal and social skills that you.
Schizophrenia
Group therapy for people with schizophrenia may be beneficial depending on the severity of the condition. Reaching out to others who have similar symptoms to you may help, and learning more about disabilities can help you better understand your own thoughts.
Self-harm
Listening to how others are dealing with your problem is also incredibly helpful, including practical tips that may come from experience and help with feelings of loneliness.
Techniques Used in Group Therapy
While one to one session and group therapy can both help with emotional dynamics of a client. A group session may encourage co-searching of the alternatives, learning from experience as well as opportunity to practice the skills learnt in a safe and encouraging space.
Some techniques to facilitate improvement are:
- Group therapy creates an opportunity for members to interact with people with similar issues, which may help in reducing feeling of being overwhelmed and instil hope for recovery.
- Group therapy also may feel like a space where reassurance and validation is sought by members of not being alone in their struggles.
- Sharing of personal experience in the presence of the therapist allows exchange of information through a balance of objectivity as well as subjective experiences of people.
- It encourages members to acknowledge the struggles of others and be a part of co searching solutions, instead of only struggle.
- Group therapy facilitates learning of social skills and management of interpersonal relationships for its members.
- Members can learn new coping skills from fellow members in similar situations.
- The group provides members with a sense of acceptance and belonging.
- Members are encouraged to express a full range of their emotions during sessions, which we often do not get an opportunity for leading to suppression.
How to Join a Group
In order for group therapy to be successful, it’s important that you join the right kind of group with a therapist who specializes in treatments using group therapy. Talk to a psychologist or therapist for consultation and references. For more information you can get in touch with any of our rehab centres in Mumbai, Bengaluru or New Delhi. We are the best rehab centre chain in India.