What Should You Expect With Group Therapy?
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- Group therapy involves one or more therapists who lead a group of roughly five to 15 people. Some people attend individual therapy in addition to groups, while others participate in groups only.
- Some Groups are offered weekly while others may meet only once per month. Group sessions usually last for 1-2 hours.
- Many groups are designed to target a specific problem, such as depression, obesity, panic disorder, social anxiety, chronic pain or substance abuse. Other groups focus more generally on improving social skills, helping people deal with a range of issues such as anger, shyness, loneliness and low self-esteem.
Benefits of Group Therapy
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- Joining a group of strangers may sound intimidating at first, but group therapy provides benefits that individual therapy may not. Therapists say, in fact, that group members are almost always surprised by how rewarding the group experience can be.
- Groups can act as a support network and a sounding board. Other members of the group often help you come up with specific ideas for improving a difficult situation or life challenge, and hold you accountable along the way.
- Regularly talking and listening to others also helps you put your own problems in perspective. Many people experience mental health difficulties, but few speak openly about them to people they don’t know well. Oftentimes, you may feel like you are the only one struggling — but you’re not. It can be a relief to hear others discuss what they’re going through, and realize you’re not alone.
- Diversity is another important benefit of group therapy. People have different personalities and backgrounds, and they look at situations in different ways. By seeing how other people tackle problems and make positive changes, you can discover a whole range of strategies for facing your own concerns.
Groups are available for all ages–Brighter Futures Counseling has groups focused for Early Childhood, School Aged Children, Adolescents, and Adults. Groups are available for a variety of issues and goals. New groups are developed regularly.
Some of the ongoing groups at Brighter Futures Counseling, include:
Incredible Years Baby Group
This group is designed for parents with babies 12 months old or younger. The Parents and Babies Program is an 8 to 12 week program that teaches parents to help their babies feel loved, safe and secure. During the weekly 2 hours group, parents learn how to encourage their babies’ developmental milestones to promote optimal social, emotional, and physical development. This is a group program, so new parents have the opportunity to hear other’s experiences and triumphs while giving and receiving support. Babies attend group with their parents to practice what is learned in the moment.
Children Groups
Children Groups at Brighter Futures Counseling are designed for specific issues that children may be facing including:
- Groups for Impulse Control concerns and ADHD related concerns
- Survivor Focused Groups for children who have been through something tough–this group often focuses on the strengths of the child and builds coping skills, healthy boundaries, and emotional management tools.
- Group for Children with Anxiety Concerns
- Groups for Children with Developmental Concerns including Autism Spectrum Disorders
**Other groups are developed as needed or requested.
Adolescent/Teen Groups
Adolescent/Teen Groups at Brighter Futures Counseling are designed for specific issues that teenagers may be facing including:
- Groups for Self Esteem and/or Body Image
- Groups to help deal with bullying or to decrease bullying
- Groups for Impulse Control concerns and ADHD related concerns
- Survivor Focused Groups for teens who have been through something tough–often trauma.
- Anxiety Concerns
- Depression Concerns
- Developmental Concerns including Autism Spectrum Disorders
**Other groups are developed as needed or requested.
**Group Schedule available soon**