So as a counselor I like to facilitate mental health and recovery group therapy and I find there are some people that are intimidated by group settings.
I wanted to write this post to alleviate some of that anxiety about group therapy and why I highly recommend people participate in them.
1) You ARE NOT Being Judged
Many times people are reluctant to attend groups because they are fearful or anxious of what others may think of them and their situation. It’s ok you will not be judged.
Let me assure you, counselors facilitating groups are not judging you and neither are the people that attend. If you are attending a depression group, most people there will also be struggling with that. Addiction recovery groups will have people struggling with addiction. If you attend a grief group, guess what there will be others trying to cope with grief.
So don’t sweat it. A group setting is a safe, awesome place to share. The people there are like you and going through the same thing or have gone through what you are trying to cope with.
2) It’s a Safe Place of Support
Any group I’ve facilitated, which at this point would be in the upper hundreds or maybe more 😉 are a safe place of support. People are there to learn strategies and skills to apply in their own life.
The group setting is confidential and welcoming. What’s said in group stays in the group. It is not shared outside of the group. So let’s say I see a group member at Walmart I will not say “see you at group.” That’s a huge group no no. It will not happen. That is a requirement of all the groups.
Let me add the only time any group information is disclosed and that would only be by the counselor would be if someone was threatening to harm themselves or others.
3) There should be no more than 10 people in the group
Here’s why I say that anymore than 10 to me feels like a class. Group is not a class or workshop. A support group is generally held weekly, biweekly or monthly. It should be supportive in nature and for that smaller is generally more comfortable and effective.
If you are looking for a group and there are 20 people in it, you will not find the outcomes you are looking for unless the outcomes are to attend a class. Group is not like that.
So that’s my 3 things I would like to share about groups. Groups are awesome, not scary, not judgmental and the bonus ** you meet wonderful new people ** who are sharing a part of your life that is troubling to you. That’s the support part 😊 & they ROCK!!!!
If you are struggling, don’t be scared or anxious, reach out to a group near you. They will help you. You’ll see 😊
If you are in the Tampa Bay area and looking for a group, click this link to book your free 15 min recovery strategy call so I can help you and if I can’t I do have connections that I can refer you to that can.
Learn more about me on my LinkedIn profile
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