The power of a story.
I’ve been a part of a lot of groups. One of the most vivid memories I have is of a dance group of which I was a member in 6th grade. We learned choreography to Turn the Beat Around by Gloria Estefan, and let me tell you, I am NOT a dancer. I don’t really remember the purpose of the group, but I do remember the other members were not like me. I was dancing next to people of a different race, age, socioeconomic class, family background, and ability. But when we all took the stage, we had this one thing in common: humanity.
Fast-forward a few years to my late-20’s, and I found myself in a group of women a little more like me; we still had the differences noted above, but our stories were a little more similar. Life had been hard on us and we felt alone…until we sat down in a room together.
Only about five years ago, I joined Al-Anon, a group of people learning how to live life alongside those affected by alcoholism. I actually went to my first meeting because a friend asked me to join them, and I was so comforted there, I kept going. A few weeks ago, I shared in my home group that my time there is still my most peaceful hour of each week.
Because of my life changing experiences in specific group settings, I knew group therapy would be a significant part of my counseling practice. How does it work? Good question.
Group therapy, in essence, is shared story-telling. Have you ever sat by someone, listened to their words, and thought to yourself, “Do I know you from somewhere?” Another way I’ve heard it stated is, “They told my exact story, just with different names and places.”
If you’re like me, a lot of other people may have told your story for you. Rarely, do we get the chance to tell our own story, from our perspective, from our truth. The parts of us that have been cut off because someone deemed them unacceptable are the parts that keep showing up. When they are seen and heard by us first, and then others, they are integrated into our whole self. There’s less “unfinished business” inside of us.
Group therapy is putting a small group of strangers together with a shared story and inviting them to understand, forgive, show empathy, and include each other. In simplest terms, groups share humanity with each other. From that humanity comes awareness and then acceptance and then change.
Think about it. Why would you be hesitant to join a group? Probably for the same reason most of us hesitate. We are afraid of talking in front of others. We’re afraid of people knowing our “stuff.” We’re not sure how to be vulnerable and accepted at the same time. Surely we don’t have it “as bad as ________.” What if my coworker is in my group?! Yes, I get it. These are all legitimate and very real and possible concerns.
And we don’t really ever know the answers to questions like these until we go out on a limb “…being brave and afraid every minute of the day at the exact same time,” as Brene Brown says.
I’m inviting you to be brave with us, whether now or in the future. Whether you join a group to supplement your individual therapy or in place of it, you have options. I want to hear your story, and others do, too.
Current Group Offerings:
Friends & Family Coaching Group – Coaching and support for friends and family members of those who use substances, have disordered eating, and/or those suffering from mental illness.
Faith Transition Group – support for those needing a safe space to process hurts related to an organized religious system, spiritual group, or oppression by faith-based leadership.
RPR Group – Relapse prevention and recovery skills group for those working on past or current challenges with drugs, alcohol, or compulsive behaviors.
Written by Lauren Eisleben