When you think of group therapy, you may consider uncomfortable movie scenes. You may imagine a large group of strangers sitting in metal folding chairs in a sterile, uninviting room. However, at The Guest House, group therapy is all about building trust and community with a small group of your peers as you learn how to express yourself together.
How Does Group Therapy Work?
While your group therapy may be led by one or more therapists, your therapist is there only as your guide when you need additional support. In reality, group therapy is in the hands of you and your fellow residents as you develop problem-solving skills based on your personal experiences.
Moreover, you can expect to have your group therapy tailored to your specific needs. Rather than being thrown in a room with people processing through a wide variety of things, you will encounter a small group of residents experiencing different but similar things, like deeply held negative thoughts about yourself.
Finding the Best Fit Group for You
You may be wondering, what is the best group for you? How do you know group therapy will be a good fit for you?
Finding the right group for you is an important part of the work your therapist does. According to a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there are three criteria your therapist will consider when they match you to a specific group on your recovery journey:
- Specifics related to you
- Personality
- Needs
- Preferences
- Stage of recovery
- Available resources
- Types of groups
There are also other important factors your therapist will consider when selecting a group for you, which can include:
- Specific programs
- Gender-specific
- Function in interpersonal interactions
- Motivation
At the end of the day, your therapist’s goal is to place you in a group that makes sense for your needs and wants in your recovery. Group therapy is another tool in your toolbox to support you in multiple areas of your recovery.
What Are the Benefits of Group Therapy?
As another tool in your toolbox, group therapy can offer you a wide range of benefits on your journey to recovery. According to an article from the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, there are a variety of therapeutic factors that support recovery in group therapy:
- Universality
- Altruism
- Cohesion
- Catharsis
- Sharing information
- Modeling
- Instilling hope
- Social skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Support
These therapeutic factors help you deepen your understanding of yourself and your feelings. In addition, group therapy fosters empathy for others, helps you build healthier relationships, and reminds you that you are not alone on this journey.
Feeling Supported at the Guest House
At The Guest House, community-building is an important part of the recovery process. Building bonds with your peers can support your long-term healing as you learn from each other. Some of the ways we can support you at The Guest House as you build connections in group therapy include therapeutic modalities like, art therapy, adventure therapy, and cinema therapy.
Building healthy connections with others is an important part of the recovery process. Through connection, you can create a community of support to help you work through the self-defeating behaviors that impede on your life. With group therapy, you can learn how to empathize with others, build problem-solving skills, and model healthy behavior for each other. At The Guest House, we offer a wide range of therapeutic modalities like group therapy to support forming bonds and healing together. Call (855) 483-7800 to learn more.