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.

Our Groups

Our experienced therapists will discuss with each person who contacts us whether group therapy might be beneficial.

At the moment we offer  two evening groups. Both groups are long-term, open groups. This means that group members are able to join the group and to stay for as long as they need to. This may be up to or beyond two years.

Group members may be seeking help with a variety of issues, including:

Relationships: you may be experiencing difficulties in relating to others. This can include intimate relationships and also relationships with family, friends and work colleagues.

Difficult Feelings: you may have chronic and enduring feelings of low mood or anxiety which prevents you from living fully.

Bereavement: you may have experienced a bereavement or other kind of loss, not necessarily recently, and the grieving process may have been difficult or excessively painful.

FAQ'S

Q: What is group therapy?
A: It is a supportive and safe group which meets weekly to help each other understand and cope with difficult emotions and relationships. A qualified group therapist helps the group to work together, and ensures safe boundaries, confidentiality, and time limits.

Q: How does group therapy compare to individual therapy?
A: Group therapy is a different process and can be experienced as more helpful by some people. People sometimes join a therapy group after a period of individual therapy or counselling. Most people who join a therapy group feel they have benefited from doing so.

Q: How can group therapy help me?
A: It can be enormously helpful if you struggle with making and maintaining relationships. The group can present a ‘here and now’ opportunity to ‘repair’ past emotional damage by helping you to relate to others in progressively more healthy ways. You may find you can draw upon the group as a source of support during difficult times.

Q: How do I join a group?
A: If you are interested in joining a group, you’ll be able to meet a group therapist on a one-to-one basis to talk over what is involved. Each group starts with new members, and you will be under no pressure to join a group until you feel ready.

Your first appointment will be a free, confidential, one to one consultation that involves no obligation on your part. A qualified therapist will listen to you carefully and help you to decide the best course of action for you.
Referrals

If you are a professional who wishes to refer a patient or client to Leeds Group Therapy, or to explore the possibility of doing so, please feel free to contact us on 0118 958 0806 for an initial discussion. Alternatively, you can make a referral by letter, with your patient's consent, to Life Story Therapeutic Centre, 17 Eldon Square, Reading RG1 4DP.

Q: Will I have to reveal information about myself in a group immediately?
A: No. Most people will take time to feel at ease in a new group, and this is expected. However, people usually feel better for having shared their problems and difficulties with others, and are reassured by the confidentiality of the group.

Q: How long will the therapy take?
A: The group has a fixed length, usually meeting for 2hrs every week over 40 weeks.

Q: If I decide to join a group how long will it take before I start?
A: The group therapist will be able to give you a clearer idea of when a group might be starting and will keep in touch with you during that time. You will normally be able to join a group within a few weeks, depending on your availability.

Q. When and where will the sessions take place?
A: Each group will take place on either a Tuesday or Friday Evening for members who are interested in joining the group. Physis Room will e used on the second floor at Life Story Therapeutic Centre.

Q. How much will it cost?
A. Life Story is a charity which provides professional counselling and therapy services. We will ask for a contribution of £10 per session for group therapy, but no-one will be turned away on the grounds of inability to pay. Payment can be discussed at the free initial meeting with the group therapist.

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