Group Therapy
Two heads are better than one. This is the core principle of group therapy. It leverages the fact that a company of people is better in accomplishing a certain task than one person alone.
What Is Group Therapy?
A form of psychotherapy, group therapy calls for one or more therapists participating in the treatment of the mental disorders of several people at the same time. It is now a popular form of therapy which is being used in many hospitals, mental health clinics, community centers and by private therapeutic practices.
This form of mental treatment is commonly integrated with a comprehensive addiction treatment plan, but is sometimes used alone. Regardless of its type of use, group therapy is usually accompanied by medication and individual therapy.
Why Group Therapy Works
Group therapy for men is effective because it is anchored in a number of therapeutic principles. They include:
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The corrective emphasis of the primary family group: Participating in group therapy is similar to being in a family. Every member of the group can discover how their childhood experiences contributed to their behaviors and personality. They are also encouraged to avoid destructive behaviors that are not helpful in an addict’s life.
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Group cohesiveness: Being united with a common goal, every member of the group gains a sense of belonging and acceptance.
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The instillation of hope: Oftentimes, the group is composed of people at various steps in the drug addiction treatment process. Members see each other as they cope and recover. This gives beginners hope that the process will work for them.
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Interpersonal learning: The interaction between members of the group and the feedback gained from the therapist will enable each participant to gain a better understanding of themselves and others.
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Development of socialization techniques: One advantage of group therapy is that it offers a place to practice new behaviors. The group is supportive and the place is secure. It allows group members to do things without worrying about failing.
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Imitative behavior: Individuals can imitate the behavior of other members or watch and copy the behavior of the therapist.
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Universality: Being a member of a group that has similar experience helps an individual to see that what he is going through is universal and that he is not alone.
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Altruism: Each member can share his strengths and help others in the group. This can boost the members’ self-esteem and confidence.
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Existential factors: Group therapy helps each member realize that they are responsible for their own lives, choices, and actions as they work with each other and offer support and guidance.
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Imparting information: By sharing information, members of the group help each other.
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Catharsis: By sharing experiences and feelings, each group member can help other members relieve their pains, guilt and stress.
How Group Therapy Works
The group is commonly composed of somewhere between three to 12 people, although some groups have more than 12 members. They meet at least once a week and every meeting lasts from one to two hours. One full year of group therapy sessions is very common.
There are two types of sessions:
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Open sessions, where new members are welcome to join anytime
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Closed sessions, where only the core group members are allowed to participate
At His House session, the group normally meets in a room where the chairs are arranged in a big circle where all participants can see each other. The session begins with each member speaking about themselves and the reason why they are there. They can also share their feelings and progress since their last meeting. All the while, the therapist guides everything that is going on.
