[Mike_J]

I have never gone to "Group Therapy" but do have an individual therapist, and I also go to a "Peer Support Group" I have found both helpful.

Just wondering if anyone has experience with both Group Therapy, and Peer Support Groups, sort of looking at the similarities and differences?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

I lack the courage to try group therapy and don't really know what a peer support group is. Can you tell us more about it?

Tried group therapy and didn't like it, I didn't talk in the whole year I was in the group, I have no idea what peer support group is either.

[Focus62]

Do you mean peer support group as in something like Alanon (AA/NA, whatever others there are)? I have gone to Alanon, but I've never done group therapy so I have nothing to compare...sorry.

In my experience with Alanon, it was more of a "share your experience" type of thing, rather than responding to someone's experience. Cross-talk is not allowed. I would imagine that in group therapy, you collaborate on ways to develop new coping skills by responding to other's stories or things they have shared, rather than just respectively listening and taking what you hear and trying to see how it fits with your life. The idea of Alanon was to realize you weren't alone in your situation, but nobody in the group can really go "Well here's what you should be doing" after you share your story. You can only share your personal experience, what worked and what didn't for you, and you try not to comment on anyone else's. Peer support groups like Alanon also do not have a facilitator, unlike group therapy where there is usually at least one psychologist or whatever there.

[pilgrim7]

I've had very good experience in the past with support groups for communications. Does anyone know of availaable support groups for communications and social connection?