Has anyone else had similar situation. Been going to individual therapy for 6 months and now when I'm ready to stop my T. says he thinks I should go to Group Therapy

Has anyone had a good experience going to Group Therapy? I don't feel comfortable with having my Ind T. being the group therapist. Does anyone see that as a problem?

Yes. This is a typical "step-down service" to transition clients out of therapy instead of doing an abrupt halt in all therapeutic services.

Are you requesting the termination of services and done with therapy, or is the course of therapy at it's end (either due to T leaving, being done with goals, etc)?

It's also a "typical step down therapy or service" when clinics are tired or overwhelmed my the demands of clients.... When the clinic or the individual can't provide the support and/or guidance that they need to provide any longer. I'm sorry but I work in the field and I know that clinics and individual theapists feel "compassion fatigue" and refer clients for referral to group treatment because he/she can't realistically provide individual thearpy any longer. . . .now, it's one thing to talk that over with a client and it's another thing to just make that referral without the client knowing the true reason. I can't count the times that people have contacted me and said that happened to them without them being aware that the referral was being made. I get that one, two or three clients might miss that request for referral, but five, six or seven client, over the past five years saying that,doesn't sit right by me. It's wrong.

Originally Posted by Readytostop

Has anyone had a good experience going to Group Therapy? I don't feel comfortable with having my Ind T. being the group therapist. Does anyone see that as a problem?

The question changed from when I first responded.

I have not had the experience but I could certainly see how it would be uncomfortable shifting from individual therapy to group therapy with the same therapist!

While I can appreciate the post about clinics using group as a step down services for compassion fatigue, this is not true for all agencies. My agency uses group strictly for when the client requests it, as a step down service due to client no longer needing individual therapy (which is decided with client and therapist), or in conjunction to individual therapy. The transition into group should be discussed openly and honestly with your T about your thoughts and feelings, especially the feeling of discomfort about the shift.

[PTSDlovemycats]

I did group therapy before. Absolutely HATED it!!

[Flooded]

Originally Posted by PTSDlovemycats

I did group therapy before. Absolutely HATED it!!

I've got to say it doesn't sound like my idea of therapy at all

[PTSDlovemycats]

Originally Posted by Flooded

I've got to say it doesn't sound like my idea of therapy at all

It was horrible for me, but ofcourse everyone has different experiences, to each their own as hey say...

Originally Posted by Readytostop

Has anyone had a good experience going to Group Therapy? I don't feel comfortable with having my Ind T. being the group therapist. Does anyone see that as a problem?

Many years ago I saw a therapist both individually and also in a group setting. It worked fine for me. Actually I think it was rather beneficial to see him in both settings, but if you aren't comfortable with it, don't do it. It sounds like yours just feels you would benefit by having that kind of therapy stucture a bit longer, like he is a bit concerned about you stopping therapy altogether at this point. Would that be correct?

Also, that group therapy experience was one of the most difficult, yet one of the most beneficial, therapy experiences I have ever had. It was a group of about 8 women and we all were CSA survivors. The commonality was really important to making the group so successful. I think a group just made up of random people who don't have a common issue would be more difficult and less helpful, but that's just my gut feeling about it. Inquire as to what kind of group this would be.

Originally Posted by Readytostop

Has anyone else had similar situation. Been going to individual therapy for 6 months and now when I'm ready to stop my T. says he thinks I should go to Group Therapy

Well to provide more information, I went into therapy with a 3 month time frame in mind due to finances since I am paying out of pocket. My T. convinced me to stay for six month. At last session I told him that I needed to stop therapy due to finances and asked how he feels about that and how the process usually works. He is trying to convince me to continue. I feel much better and know I have made significant strides (which T. agrees with) but T. must see other issues he thinks I should deal with but frankly its a struggle at this point to come up with things to discuss... I have issues with opening up to people, and conflict,etc. He thinks I could work on those issues in group therapy.

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by Readytostop

Has anyone had a good experience going to Group Therapy? I don't feel comfortable with having my Ind T. being the group therapist. Does anyone see that as a problem?

If you are uncomfortable with that, perhaps your T can give you a referral to other groups. It is sometimes hard to find them on your own, but your T probably knows of other therapists with groups that might be appropriate for you.

If you feel you are ready to stop therapy and don't need the additional support or structure of a group, you could just stop, which it sounds like you were prepared to do. Did your T say why he thinks you shouldn't stop therapy completely? Perhaps he/she sees some issues for you to work on that you haven't perceived?

Originally Posted by sunrise

If you are uncomfortable with that, perhaps your T can give you a referral to other groups. It is sometimes hard to find them on your own, but your T probably knows of other therapists with groups that might be appropriate for you.

If you feel you are ready to stop therapy and don't need the additional support or structure of a group, you could just stop, which it sounds like you were prepared to do. Did your T say why he thinks you shouldn't stop therapy completely? Perhaps he/she sees some issues for you to work on that you haven't perceived?

I was prepared to stop therapy..thought about going every other week for a month and then stop...He didn't give me a definitive reason that he didn't want me to stop. I'm sure there are other issues to work on but he didn't say and I didn't ask either. I will ask at next session

[TayQuincy]

I have done group therapy and I grew to love it! I hated it at first because I had never tried it and didnt think I would feel comfortable in that kind of setting. I had individual therapy during that time though and that worked well. I was sad when the group ended after several years. One thing I don't understand is why your T would suggest it if you are concerned about finances because group therapy is often not covered by insurance.

Originally Posted by TayQuincy

I have done group therapy and I grew to love it! I hated it at first because I had never tried it and didnt think I would feel comfortable in that kind of setting. I had individual therapy during that time though and that worked well. I was sad when the group ended after several years. One thing I don't understand is why your T would suggest it if you are concerned about finances because group therapy is often not covered by insurance.

I'm paying out of pocket for individual therapy so I'm guessing that group therapy is less expensive. I would feel like a fish in a fish bowl...having my individual therapist being the group therapist...like he would be watching my behavior...like he knows too much It would totally take me out of my comfort zone....

[TayQuincy]

Originally Posted by Readytostop

I'm paying out of pocket for individual therapy so I'm guessing that group therapy is less expensive. I would feel like a fish in a fish bowl...having my individual therapist being the group therapist...like he would be watching my behavior...like he knows too much It would totally take me out of my comfort zone....

My individual therapist was also my group therapist. I started with her in group before she became my individual T, so maybe that is why i felt comfortable. It took awhile to feel okay in group though. I tend to be more reserved and other, more outgoing people would sometimes monopolize the time. But T was very good.

[mixedup_emotions]

I've been in individual and group therapy for a couple years now - both with the same therapist - and it's been a roller-coaster. The only issue I have with my T being the same T for both is that uncomfortable feelings are triggered around being with other clients of MY therapist.

Originally Posted by mixedup_emotions

I've been in individual and group therapy for a couple years now - both with the same therapist - and it's been a roller-coaster. The only issue I have with my T being the same T for both is that uncomfortable feelings are triggered around being with other clients of MY therapist.

I probably would have felt like you a couple of months ago when I was very dependent and connected to my T. My problem is more like feeling like a fish in a fish bowl...having my interactions analyzed will keep me from being myself anyway so I don't see the purpose.

[mixedup_emotions]

I can see how you would find it somewhat intimidating. There are times when I've felt like I was a guinea pig in a laboratory. But it has been helpful for me to understand how I interact with others and get feedback from a professional perspective. I can see how it would be uncomfortable though as well.

Originally Posted by mixedup_emotions

I can see how you would find it somewhat intimidating. There are times when I've felt like I was a guinea pig in a laboratory. But it has been helpful for me to understand how I interact with others and get feedback from a professional perspective. I can see how it would be uncomfortable though as well.

Funny..cause I used that same analogy "guinea pig in a laboratory" when I basically told the T. NO to group therapy. He said normally when he hears a knee jerk reaction like I had to group therapy, it makes him think that is exactly what the person needs. I just don't think I can open up and be myself in a group setting. It's difficult enough being vulnerable with a T.

Originally Posted by mixedup_emotions

But it has been helpful for me to understand how I interact with others and get feedback from a professional perspective.

That is what my T. said. When did you get feedback from T. during group or in your individual sessions?

[mixedup_emotions]

Originally Posted by Readytostop

Funny..cause I used that same analogy "guinea pig in a laboratory" when I basically told the T. NO to group therapy. He said normally when he hears a knee jerk reaction like I had to group therapy, it makes him think that is exactly what the person needs. I just don't think I can open up and be myself in a group setting. It's difficult enough being vulnerable with a T.

I didn't necessarily open up in group therapy. It IS hard to be vulnerable with others. But no matter how we act in group therapy, it is a window into something about ourselves. When relationships develop in group therapy, it sometimes mirrors how we are in the "real world" and we can learn so much within that group environment. Just because it's therapy doesn't mean you need to spill your heart out. I have found people to be just as hurtful in group therapy - and that too has been a learning experience in itself. I have also found that the most difficult experiences have been the most rewarding.

[mixedup_emotions]

Originally Posted by Readytostop

That is what my T. said. When did you get feedback from T. during group or in your individual sessions?

My therapist has a private forum that all the group members have access to, and each week, he posts an overview of the session and then provides individual feedback to each member - which all the members can see.

I'll have to try to be more open minded about the possibility of group therapy. Find out more information and then decide.

[crazycanbegood]

I suppose I could see the value in group therapy as a way to transition out but if someone feels ready to leave, that person should leave! Therapy is supposed to be short-term for most right?

I've seen my current therapist for 2 years. I couldn't share my T in a group setting. I'd get jealous and rage against the other members. But I could go to a group with another T.

Originally Posted by crazycanbegood

I suppose I could see the value in group therapy as a way to transition out but if someone feels ready to leave, that person should leave! Therapy is supposed to be short-term for most right?

That's what I thought...that it would be short-term. Not sure my T. and I have been on the same page about that. I will do most anything to avoid conflict so it was very difficult to even tell T. that I wanted to stop therapy soon. I really like my T. so it is hard to tell him something that I knew he would not be happy to hear.