Group Counseling

Thanks to media such as television and movies, it’s likely that you’ve come across a scene where people are gathered in a room as they share their stories and struggles, be they with anger or addiction of some kind. Whether in a school gym, in a small room at a community center, or the basement of a church, the group shares the life stories, struggles, setbacks and successes. It’s an inviting and encouraging space where those that are struggling with a particular issue can gather once a week or so to walk together on their journey toward wholeness.

The above picture has a lot of truth to it. For one thing, group counseling is a type of therapy that you can get access to from a wide variety of locations that include private practices, hospitals, mental health clinics, and community centers. It’s called group counseling because unlike individual counseling, there are typically four to ten people in the group that are guided and led by one or two experienced group therapists.

The groups meet every week for an hour or ninety minutes for each session to work through whatever the focal point of the group is. During the time that they are together, the members of the group will discuss the issues that concern them and offer one another insight, support, and feedback to help on the way.

If you go to group counseling in Texas, it may help you to know what a typical group counseling session looks like. Sometimes there are more than four to ten people present, but that number is more typical. In many cases, the group will meet in a space with the chairs arranged in a large circle so that the group members can see one another without any obstructions. The group is led and guided by a trained therapist who directs the conversation and helps to ensure the discussion is constructive.

Each group member has an opportunity to speak to the concerns of the group, and they share as guided by the therapist. There is a healthy back-and-forth interaction between the members of the group. One of the main aspects of group therapy is the other group members can share their own experiences, encourage the others, and hold one another accountable.

There are different types of groups that meet for a variety of purposes, and the type of group will have an impact on the focus and tools that are used to ensure that each group member gets the most out of the sessions. Some of the more common types of group therapy include:

• Support groups that create space for people with a variety of mental health conditions, as well as their loved ones. These groups provide the members with the tools they need to cope either with their own or the struggles of their loved ones.
• Cognitive behavioral groups, whose primary focus is to identify and reorient any inaccurate or distorted behaviors, thinking patterns, and emotional responses, helping people to embrace healthy patterns.
• Psychoeducational groups, which place their focus and emphasis on educating individuals about their disorders and providing them with tools to cope with their challenges. These are often based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
• Interpersonal groups, which focus on one’s social interactions and interpersonal connections with others, and this will also include whether and how much support you have from your social network, as well as the impact these relationships have on your mental health and overall wellbeing.
• Skills development groups, which place their focus on improving social skills in people that have mental disorders or developmental disabilities.

There are a variety of groups, and they are suited to address a broad range of concerns. Some of the concerns that group counseling will address include:

• Addiction and substance use disorder
• Chronic illness
• Grief and loss
• Loneliness
• Weight management
• Eating disorders
• Anger and anger management
• Depression
• Divorce
• Chronic stress
• Anxiety and anxiety disorders, panic disorder and phobias
• Chronic pain
  Domestic violence
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Group counseling can accomplish several goals that will help the individual as well as the group obtain a sense of well-being. Some of the goals of group counseling include helping group members do the following:

• Enhance their problem-solving skills
• Give and receive support withing the group
• Decrease their sense of social isolation
• Practice and hone their interpersonal skills in a safe group setting
• Develop good communication skills
• Learn more about how they come across to others
• Increase their observation and feedback skills
• Improve their ability to express their emotions
• Gain an understanding of their problems and help them explore and develop possible solutions 

The Value and Benefits of Group Counseling in Texas

Group therapy at Texas Christian Counseling provides the necessary space that people need to address their challenges, and that includes challenges that their loved ones are facing. While there is much value to individual counseling, for instance, some of the benefits that one comes by through group therapy include the following:

1. An affordable option. Individual counseling can be a bit pricy, and that’s because the counselor must focus on one client at a time. With group counselling, the therapist can devote their time to a larger group of people, and that has the effect of reducing the overall cost of the session for each of the group members.
2. Mutual support and encouragement. Group therapy allows people to both give and receive the support and encouragement of the other group members. When you can see that other people in the group are going through the same thing you are, that can help you feel less alone in your struggles. As group members, you can keep one another accountable and give each other advice based on lived experiences.
3. A safe space. Group counseling is a haven which allows you to express yourself, learn, and develop your skills within the safety and security of the group.
4. Giving one another hope. When you go through a rough time, it may seem like you’re in a dark tunnel with little light to guide you. But when you observe another person coping successfully with a problem, that can give you and the other group members hope for recovery and wholeness. Your struggle and story can serve as an encouragement to others, just as their story can spur you on. Group members can serve as role models for the other group members. As you each progress, you can continue to encourage and support one another. This can foster feelings of success and accomplishment that serve as further encouragement in the group.

Getting the Most out of Group Counseling

Group therapy at Texas Christian Counseling affords each group member many benefits that will allow them to deal with challenges and struggles well. However, for you to get the most out of group counseling, it is wise to understand some of what may be required of you and to know how group therapy is best suited.

• Group counseling isn’t ideal for crisis situations. There are some limitations to group therapy, and it won’t work as well for all people. Group settings work best for individuals that are not currently in crisis. For instance, if you or a loved one are having suicidal thoughts, the better option to pursue is individual counseling. And if you or a loved one are in immediate danger, you should call 911.If you are having suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor.

• Come willing to share. You should be wise and be as safe as possible, but in group counseling, the main part of how it works is to open up and share your experiences with others in the group. This requires vulnerability. Group counseling may sometimes involve role-playing exercises or intense personal discussion, and that can be overwhelming for some people. If you are an extremely private person or you feel uncomfortable around strangers, or if you struggle with social anxiety or phobias, sharing in a group might be a challenge. In such cases, perhaps individual counseling may be more suitable for you. Also, you need to recognize that in group counseling you and the other group members are “sharing” the counselor, and so you should prepare for the fact that you won’t have the counselor’s exclusive attention.

• Try several groups to find your fit. You may need to try a few groups before you find the one that fits you best. Some groups are closed, meaning that only a core group of members are invited to participate, while others are open and new participants are welcome to join at any time. The dynamics in open groups may not suit you, and that’s something to consider. You should think carefully about what you want and need and consider what might be best for you. 

Christian Group Counseling in Texas

When you’re choosing a group, you should consider not only who is part of the group but also who will be guiding the group. If you want to receive input that is informed by faith, making use of resources such as Scripture and prayer, then you should consider Christian group counseling. Walking alongside brothers and sisters who share similar faith commitments will allow you to pull together as you seek to lean on the promises and hope that is found in Jesus Christ.

As Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Your counselor will apply tried and tested group therapeutic techniques as well as resources rooted in the Christian faith. They will provide a safe space for you and your group members to pursue healing together. If you want to find out more about group therapy at Texas Christian Counseling, or you want to make a booking to begin your journey towards wholeness, do not hesitate to contact us.