A longer-term solution

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which a small number of people are treated together as a group. Being in group therapy is a good way to learn about what can go wrong in relationships, and provides a safe, welcoming place to help you explore and understand these issues. Group therapy will enable you to learn about yourself and how to relate to others.
At Life Story Therapeutic Centre, we usually have two psychotherapy groups. Each group meets once or twice a week and is conducted by a specially trained group analyst.These groups are normally regarded as somewhere for longer-term therapy. You may be offered a place in one of these groups, or in a counselling group, at the time of your first appointment, or after a period of time working in individual therapy.

What is the purpose of group therapy?

The aim of group therapy is to enable each member of the group to gain greater awareness and understanding, both about themselves and about other people.

This new awareness and understanding encourages more effective ways of coping and is an empowering experience that will enable you to take greater control of your life, and to experience more rewarding relationships with others.

I’m nervous about having to talk in a group

You won’t be put under pressure. It’s natural to think that talking about issues that worry you will leave you exposed and vulnerable; everyone in the group feels this way at the beginning and it does take time to feel safe enough to talk openly. But although the thought of talking about yourself in a group can be scary, people who join a group usually find it to be an empowering experience.

Even the most shy and private people normally find that after attending a few sessions they become sufficiently relaxed and comfortable with their fellow participants to begin talking about their own issues without embarrassment.

Being with other people who have had similar experiences to you and who can share and understand your feelings – even the difficult ones – can be extremely reassuring. The support and empathy of the group helps you to feel less lonely and isolated.

What happens in a group therapy session?

Each group is led by an experienced group analytic therapist who is trained to listen, and to help individuals within the group explore their feelings, thoughts and behaviours, and interact with their peers in a safe, confidential and non-judgmental way.

What are the benefits of group therapy?

A number of key benefits have been identified.

These include:
• Cohesiveness. It has been suggested that this is the primary therapeutic factor from which all others flow. Because humans are herd animals with an instinctive need to belong to groups, personal development takes place best in an interpersonal context
• Universality. This is the recognition of shared experiences and feelings among group members. It helps to remove your sense of isolation, validate your experiences, and raise your self-esteem
• Altruism.  Being helped by, and in turn helping, other members of the group can lift your self-esteem, make you more adaptable and enable you to develop better interpersonal skills
• Self-awareness. You will attain greater self-awareness through the process of interacting with others in the group, who give feedback on your behaviour and it’s impact on others
• Self-understanding. You will gain insight into the origins of your problems and the unconscious motivations that underlie your behaviour
• Existential awareness. You will learn that you have to take responsibility for your own life and the consequences of your decisions
• Catharsis. This is the experience of relief from emotional distress through the free and uninhibited expression of emotion. By telling your story to a supportive audience, you can obtain relief from your feelings of shame and guilt