Group Therapy

Group therapy is a modality typically consisting of 6-8 group members and two co-therapists facilitating discussion between the members. It is an extremely effective approach to personal growth and self exploration, as an adjunct to individual therapy or on its own.

Purpose:  Group therapy provides an opportunity for members to better understand how they interact with others and the opportunity to work through and ultimately master challenges that they experience in their interpersonal relationships. Members give and receive feedback from one another and the therapists that helps them to better understand both what is happening in their relationships, why it is happening, and how to best address any challenges they are experiencing. This ‘in-the-moment’ learning is a key component of group work. Beyond this learning, participation in group therapy bestows many therapeutic benefits to members, such as recognizing that they are not alone in their struggles, a sense of fulfillment from helping others, and feelings of belonging and connection.
 
Tasks:  Members gain the most from the group when they: 1) pay attention to feelings, thoughts and body sensations that arise in interactions with other group members and the therapists, 2) express those reactions in words rather than actions, 3) are open to giving feedback about how other members impact them and to receiving similar feedback from the group and 4) actively participate to the best of their ability.
 
Confidentiality:  It is a legal requirement in the District of Columbia, as well as essential to the safety of the group, that all discussions in the group are confidential. Without confidentiality it becomes difficult for members to trust and to utilize the group as a vehicle for change. Therefore, members agree not to repeat outside the group any conversations that take place during sessions. No identifying information about other group members should ever be shared with people outside the group.

For more information on group therapy, please see these resources:
https://www.agpa.org/home/practice-resources/group-interventions-for-trauma/general-information-on-trauma-for-clinicians-and-the-public-at-large/group-works-online
 
Zach Bryant, Ph.D: "Why Join An Interpersonal Therapy Group?"

To watch a group in action see: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ7ya7sIWTlRpIgx3ycpHWg

Group therapy can be a powerful way to explore topics of trust, assertiveness, love, conflict, vulnerability, and boundaries.