A longer-term solution

The Life Story Therapeutic Centre usually has two psychotherapy groups, each of which 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.

People may be offered a place in one of these groups, or in a counselling group, at the time of their first appointment, or after a period of time working in individual therapy. The aim of Group Therapy is to enable each member of the group to gain greater awareness and understanding. This encourages more effective ways of coping and enables participants to take greater control of their lives, and to experience more rewarding relationships with others.

Being in group therapy is a good way of learning about what can go wrong in relationships, and provides a safe place to help you explore and understand these issues. It will give you an opportunity to learn more about yourself and how to relate to others.

An empowering experience

It’s natural to think that talking about issues that are worrying us will leave us 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 oneself in a group can be scary, people who join a group usually find it to be an empowering experience.

Being with other people who have had similar experiences, who can share and understand such feelings – even the difficult ones – can be extremely reassuring. With this support, it helps one to feel less lonely and isolated.

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

Group counselling

Group counselling is normally a shorter-term option. Someone who attends a counselling group may feel after a short time that this is sufficient. On the other hand, the group may be regarded as a place where useful work can be done while waiting for a place in longer-term individual therapy, or in one of the psychotherapy groups.