About Group Therapy
What is group therapy?
Group therapy at Individual, Marriage, & Family Counseling consists of three to eight people meeting with a therapist to interact and discuss common challenges. Group participants actively listen and respond to each other, ask for feedback, and provide support to one another.
As a participant, these group interactions, and the guidance of the group facilitator, can help you:
- Experience new ways of talking about and resolving concerns with other members.
- Identify and change the patterns, or roles, you play out in group settings.
- Recognize that your experience is not unique, others share your struggles, and you are not alone.
- Receive encouragement and motivation in making and maintaining changes in your life.
- Learn new skills to try out in your life.
- Feel a sense of belonging and being valued in your therapeutic work.
Confidentiality
To preserve autonomy, respect, and group cohesiveness, confidentiality is a primary value of all groups at IMF Counseling. All participants agree not to discuss other participants’ names or concerns with anyone outside the group. We will continually talk about confidentiality within the group, and any concerns will be addressed openly and honestly. Our primary goal is that you feel safe in group.
How does group therapy work?
Attending your first group therapy session may be intimidating and scary. These feelings are normal, and you are not alone. Some groups are more structured and focus on learning new skills. Some groups are less structured and encourage more contemplation and open expression. All groups are supportive in nature, and we encourage you to participate to the degree you feel comfortable.
As you actively and freely participate in a group, you will likely recreate, with the other group members, similar patterns of interacting that have resulted in difficulties outside of the group. For example, if you tend to act defensively with others in your life, you will probably enact the same defensiveness at some point in a group. The group therapy environment is powerful because it provides a safe space to try out alternative, more flexible, and satisfying ways of relating to yourself and others. Group counseling is a place where you don’t have to feel “different” for struggling in your relationships. It is helpful and encouraging to talk with others who have similar difficulties and have taken a bold step toward greater health and flexibility.
How to Get Started
Get started with one of our therapy groups.
We may ask you to meet for a brief, 20-minute consultation at our office, 601 W. Nifong Blvd 1D, to determine what group is the best fit. This meeting also allows time for filling out any necessary paperwork.
We are continually forming groups at IMF in order to meet your needs and the needs of our community at large. We have seen profound change happen through group therapy, and we are excited for you to experience this kind of change.
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