Group counseling is a type of psychotherapy where a qualified therapist works with multiple individuals facing similar emotional, mental, or behavioral problems. It involves sharing your thoughts and emotions in a group setting, and your therapist helps you develop ways to cope with them and gain new perspectives. Group counseling meetings can be closed or open in a private therapeutic setting, hospitals, mental health clinics, or community centers. Group counseling Phoenix is commonly used alongside comprehensive treatments but can be used alone. Common activities involved in group therapy include gratitude, sharing, expressive writing actions, and goal visualization.
What are the different types of group counseling?
There are various types of group counseling depending on the mental disorder being addressed and the clinical method your therapist uses during the therapy. The most common forms include:
Cognitive behavioral groups
Cognitive behavioral groups focus on identifying and changing inaccurate or negative thinking patterns, emotional responses, and behaviors.
Interpersonal groups
Interpersonal groups emphasize interpersonal relationships and social interactions. Your therapist helps you identify and understand how much support you get from other people and the impact of these relationships on your mental health.
Psychoeducational groups
Psychoeducational groups help you understand your disorder and develop ways to cope with it. It is usually based on the principles of cognitive behavior therapy.
Skills development groups
Skills development groups help improve your social skills if you have a mental condition or developmental disability.
Support groups
Support groups benefit individuals with various mental health conditions. Therapists also involve your family members in this form of group counseling and help teach them how to cope with your situation.
When should you consider group counseling?
Group counseling can treat various conditions, including depression, eating disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and panic disorder. It can also help treat generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorder. Group counseling is also helpful to patients in anger management, chronic pain management, dealing with divorce, grief, domestic violence, and weight management.
Which are the key principles of group counseling?
Altruism: Group therapy involves members sharing individual strengths, which helps boost self-esteem and confidence.
Catharsis: Sharing emotions and experiences can help relieve pain, guilt, and stress.
Development of socialization techniques: Group therapy allows members to practice new behaviors without fear of failure in a safe and supportive setting.
Existential aspects: Group therapy helps you realize you are responsible for your life, action, and choices.
Group cohesiveness: Group counseling focuses on a common goal so members gain a sense of belonging and acceptance.
Instills hope: Seeing other people coping or recovering gives you hope, especially if you are at the beginning of the treatment.
Interpersonal learning: Interacting with others and receiving feedback from group members or your therapist helps you better understand yourself.
Universality: Being in a group of people with similar problems helps you know that what you are going through is universal and you are not alone.
Group counseling involves working with multiple individuals facing similar emotional, mental, or behavioral problems. Your therapist helps you understand your condition and help you cope with it. Schedule an appointment at 2nd Chance for group counseling to help cope with your mental health disorder.
