[reader1587]

Has anyone ever heard of a family (therapy) institute which had some kind of ongoing group treatment? (In other words a group-based format for dealing with family-of-origin issues, when the rest of the family is unable or unwilling to participate.)

I think it would be a highly valuable experience (at least for myself), either as a complement or a replacement for individual therapy (at least at certain stages of the process).

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by reader1587

Has anyone ever heard of a family (therapy) institute which had some kind of ongoing group treatment? (In other words a group-based format for dealing with family-of-origin issues, when the rest of the family is unable or unwilling to participate.)

I think it would be a highly valuable experience (at least for myself), either as a complement or a replacement for individual therapy (at least at certain stages of the process).

I haven't heard of an institute that does that, but it sounds like it could be really valuable. That's great you found this group. Are you going to join it? I have heard of individual family therapists offering groups kind of like the one you mention, but never an institute. (I've actually never heard of a family therapy institute, but that sounds like a good concept too.) My former family T offered several groups with different family themes. I think there is a lot of value on working on issues without the rest of your family (even if you would like them there), and why not a group format? Sounds good!

[reader1587]

Originally Posted by sunrise

I haven't heard of an institute that does that, but it sounds like it could be really valuable. That's great you found this group. Are you going to join it? I have heard of individual family therapists offering groups kind of like the one you mention, but never an institute. (I've actually never heard of a family therapy institute, but that sounds like a good concept too.) My former family T offered several groups with different family themes. I think there is a lot of value on working on issues without the rest of your family (even if you would like them there), and why not a group format? Sounds good!

Well a family therapy "institute" can just be a family therapy-oriented clinic that calls themselves an institute. I only know of a few in big northeastern cities, especially New York. I do find it interesting that individual family therapists take it upon themselves to offer these kinds of things—where are you located btw? I wonder how one finds out about this kind of stuff if you don't already know the T—I think I once sent an email to the American Family Therapy Association (AFTA) asking if they had any members in the Northeast that did these kinds of things and they never answered back.

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by reader1587

I do find it interesting that individual family therapists take it upon themselves to offer these kinds of things

I think it's pretty common for individual therapists to have one or more groups. It helps diversify their practice--gives their practice variety for interest's sake, plus it is a different way to add to their income stream. Also, some just really like groups.

Originally Posted by reader1587

I wonder how one finds out about this kind of stuff if you don't already know the T

Word of mouth is one idea. Ask your current T, if you have one, if he has colleagues that run groups of the type you are interested in. Or ask friends you know who have a therapist or therapists you happen to know socially--not necessarily if they run a group themselves but if they know of a T who does. It's kind of like networking. Also, you could try an Internet search. In my area, I can search on Group therapy and my city's name and there is a website that comes up that lists many groups in the area on different topics--SA, ADHD, family issues, rehab, men-only, etc. This list isn't comprehensive or official in any way. It relies on Ts who want to be listed to know about the site and send in their group information. Maybe there is something similar near you (I don't live in the NE).

Good luck with finding a group.

[reader1587]

Originally Posted by sunrise

I think it's pretty common for individual therapists to have one or more groups. It helps diversify their practice--gives their practice variety for interest's sake, plus it is a different way to add to their income stream. Also, some just really like groups.

Word of mouth is one idea. Ask your current T, if you have one, if he has colleagues that run groups of the type you are interested in. Or ask friends you know who have a therapist or therapists you happen to know socially--not necessarily if they run a group themselves but if they know of a T who does. It's kind of like networking. Also, you could try an Internet search. In my area, I can search on Group therapy and my city's name and there is a website that comes up that lists many groups in the area on different topics--SA, ADHD, family issues, rehab, men-only, etc. This list isn't comprehensive or official in any way. It relies on Ts who want to be listed to know about the site and send in their group information. Maybe there is something similar near you (I don't live in the NE).

Good luck with finding a group.

The thing is I'm looking specifically for groups based around a family theme—I think those are much less common unfortunately.