Group Counseling for Women

Women in support groups can take their social masks off, express anger and sadness if need be, and reveal all parts of themselves. Being able to open up without fear of being judged or hurting someone they love makes them feel accepted and allows them to begin the healing process. - Lawrence V. Tucker, M.D.

Participating in group therapy can be a truly transformative experience. If you have ever wondered "Does anyone else feel this way?" or "How do other people get through this?" group therapy is where you find the answers. Maybe you feel alone, and wish you had someone to talk to who truly understands what you are going through. Groups are a safe space to connect with other people who are like you and are struggling with the same challenges you face.

The concept of group therapy is simple: meet and talk to a group of people sharing similar experiences. Yet, there is a lot more to group therapy than people sitting around and talking. A defining factor of group therapy is the therapeutic environment and interventions provided by one or more therapists leading the group. Trained counselors lead groups in a way that

1. maintains members' safety

2. fosters discussion that is purposeful and therapeutic for all members of the group

3. guides members through specific activities and interventions that foster catharsis and personal growth

4. closes the group in a way that allows for closure and reflection

Research shows that group therapy can be helpful in treating just about any source of psychological disorder or source of emotional distress. Because groups are so effective, there are many types of groups out there, including: support groups, process groups, psychoeducational groups, skill development group, grief groups, and more. If you are not sure what type of group you need, or if group therapy is right for you, talk contact us to a therapist today.

Benefits

Provides members with assurance that they are not alone and that other individuals share similar problems and struggles
Offers the opportunity to both receive support from others and to give support to others. Giving support to others allows for growth and learning.
The therapeutic alliance, or bond between members, that occurs in groups is broader than the alliance that occurs in individual therapy
Groups allow for members to get many different points of view on their situation, rather than just the perspective of the counselor, experienced in individual sessions
Promotes the development of self-awareness through listening to others with similar issues but differing perspectives of the problem
The ability to share struggles, personal perspectives, and experiences with others and receive acceptance and empathy
Provides a broad safety net and arena to practice skills for individuals who may otherwise be hesitant to discuss their feelings, perceived weaknesses, etc. with people in their own lives
Provides exposure to behaviors of other individuals who have gone through similar experiences successfully. This is modeling, a form of learning where individuals learn by copying or imitating the actions of others
Ability to gain access to therapy for a lower fee than individual sessions

Disadvantages

Although it is continually emphasized that what is discussed in the group needs to remain in the group, there is no guarantee that some individuals will adhere to this confidentiality
Therapist attention is spread across the members of the group. This means that individuals will not receive as much focused treatment, and some individuals may attempt to take up disproportionate amounts of time
Group may be inappropriate for certain types of individuals, such as individuals who are extremely antisocial, extremely shy, impulsive, passive-aggressive, confrontational, manipulative, suicidal, or psychotic
Possibility for personality clashes. Almost all groups go through a "storming" phase, but in rare occasions some members may not work well together
Groups typically meet at specific times, so there is less opportunity to fit the therapy into the one’s personal schedule

Online Group Counseling for Women | Online Grief Support Group

Benefits and Disadvantages of Group Therapy

Groups at Her Time

*Note: These are closed groups with varying start/end dates based on interest. Please contact us to learn about current groups, interest, and start/end dates.

Grief Support Group