[Cygnus8548]

I have heard of psychotherapists who sometimes have groups of their patients as the treatment modality. Myself, I feel very uncomfortable in this environment, disclosing stuff to "strangers". It sounds like something borrowed from AA meetings. Is there any situation where a group of patients can be beneficial to an individual? (Of course if one is institutionalized or in some kind of residential treatment, then I guess the groups are inevitable because you are just there anyway). I have heard they do a lot of groups with eating disorders, maybe this is specialized type of treatment.

[Ad Intra]

Joining a group, most of the time, is optional. If you're not comfortable you don't have to.

[ChangingMyMind]

I am doing group therapy for the first time and I find it's helpful. I like it better... Because I can relate to some people and then to me. It reinforces the fact that we're not alone in this. At least it does for me. I've never been to worried about sharing my personal stuff and I can choose what to share and what to keep private so it works for me.

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[guilloche]

I have never been in a therapy group, and groups make me very nervous too. It's hard for me to imagine getting comfortable in one.

But, I suspect that what happens is that as the group goes on, the people feel less like a bunch of strangers, and more like good friends that you know and trust?

And, I can imagine lots of benefits to being in a group, aside from getting support from multiple people. I think one thing that can happen is that group dynamics can bring out your issues more effectively than a single therapist, and once they're brought out - you can deal with them. Groups can probably call you on your stuff easier than a single T (it's harder to deny something if 3-4 people are all seeing it).

Just some thoughts, they sound fascinating in a way to me - but only if they're run by a really fantastic T (and those seem rare!)

[Ididitmyway]

It really depends on the person. Some people love groups and find them beneficial. I personally would never join one. I am more comfortable in the individual one-on-one interactions. On the other hand, I facilitated groups as a therapist and LOVED doing it. I liked it more than doing individual therapy.

It's just like everything else-works for some, doesn't work for others. Do what feels right to you. Only you know what you need.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I hate groups. I've been a part of several: bipolar and depressive, a women's sexual trauma type group, and groups at different centers: board and care, day treatment, crisis houses, clubhouses. I don't like being around more than 3 people I know. And I don't like being around any strangers alone.

Now my T and Pdoc want me to go to DBT....

As others have said: there are definitely situations where individuals have benefited very much from group therapy. But that does not mean that all people are suited for group T, and even those who are, aren't necessarily helped by every group.

If you don't see what the benefit would be for you, there is no reason why you should try it. I know that I would not be helped at all by being in a group therapy situation (I would feel doubly alone and twice as weird as I normally do, and I can't imagine what I would find to talk about), and I have no intention of trying - it has never been suggested to me either.

I benefitted greatly from a group therapy. It isn't for everyone, but I definitely gained a great deal of personal insight.

[Mike_J]

I have never been to group therapy, not sure if I would like it, really like my individual therapist, wouldn't want to have another therapist or share the time I have with my current one.

But I do go to a peer support group that is run by DBSA, and I have found this to be very helpful, but I also know that it's not for everyone. But the great thing about the peer support groups is that they are free. So a person could try Googling DBSA and/or NAMI they both have peer support groups around the country.

[Cygnus8548]

Originally Posted by Mike_J

I have never been to group therapy, not sure if I would like it, really like my individual therapist, wouldn't want to have another therapist or share the time I have with my current one.

But I do go to a peer support group that is run by DBSA, and I have found this to be very helpful, but I also know that it's not for everyone. But the great thing about the peer support groups is that they are free. So a person could try Googling DBSA and/or NAMI they both have peer support groups around the country.

Thanks for the tip. I Googled both groups. So the key for them is live person to person support groups? Therapists must not like this. So these groups are not like therapy groups? Thanks.

[StressedMess]

I was mandated to attend 26 sessions of Domestic Violence Group Therapy, which turned into about 50 before I was finally released. I hated it with a flaming purple passion. Social anxiety, plus admitting to a roomful of strangers that my perfect life was not so perfect!

Something weird happened there, though. I found my voice. I was able to relate to some of those women, commiserate with some, identify with them, and learned that I was not alone. I learned to participate in a group discussion without stammering and blushing, I even *gasp* disagreed a few times.

In the end I resented the state for stepping into my life and forcing me to undergo treatment with the threat of losing my kids, but I appreciated the group and its members for teaching me that it was abuse, really, no matter how I tried to minimize it and excuse it.