[Donutworryrelax]

Hi everyone,

I've talked about this before, but I had a really good relationship with my past therapist, and I was definitely sad when we terminated. However, my university offers group therapy and my past therapist is the leaders of one of the groups. I was lucky enough to be able to get a spot in her group.

Do you think this is going to be weird for her?

[lucozader]

I think she'll be alright. I think it might be weird for you!

[Hopeofreedom]

No she is probably happy to see your still seeking out therapy. Also it's good that your working with someone you already trust.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I think she'll be fine. Will you be okay? Having to share your ex-T's attention with other people?

[Donutworryrelax]

Originally Posted by ScarletPimpernel

I think she'll be fine. Will you be okay? Having to share your ex-T's attention with other people?

Yeah, I'll be fine with it.

My private therapist also led my group therapy. It was fine. I certainly wouldn't worry about it being weird for the therapist.

[cinnamon_roll]

I've just joined an art therapy group, after having individual sessions with the very same therapist for about 18 months. And those individual sessions sometimes were pretty intense.

Personally, I'm struggeling with the changes that this brings about. This is not to discourage you. Just be prepared that some weird feelings might appear. And try to find the courage to talk about it in group.

For me this group setting seems to create some sort of pressure cooker atmosphere, it intensifies everything. Which means for me because of the intensity that I have to act and not stay in my normal mode of reaction. Overall I'm learning a lot in this setting, just a few weeks have brought about some really significant changes.

Hoping you'll find your group helpful!

c_r

[Donutworryrelax]

Originally Posted by cinnamon_roll

I've just joined an art therapy group, after having individual sessions with the very same therapist for about 18 months. And those individual sessions sometimes were pretty intense.

Personally, I'm struggeling with the changes that this brings about. This is not to discourage you. Just be prepared that some weird feelings might appear. And try to find the courage to talk about it in group.

For me this group setting seems to create some sort of pressure cooker atmosphere, it intensifies everything. Which means for me because of the intensity that I have to act and not stay in my normal mode of reaction. Overall I'm learning a lot in this setting, just a few weeks have brought about some really significant changes.

Hoping you'll find your group helpful!

c_r

What kind of changes are happening, if you don't mind me asking?

[cinnamon_roll]

Hi,

for me the individual setting feels safer, more "cozy", I have the undivided attention of the therapist, she is fully focused on me.

My "normal" or "learned" (from family constellation) pattern in a group would be to completely withdraw, to feel unimportant, wanting to be asked or "invited" before saying anything. To avoid the risks that go with showing what's on my mind or what is important to me in any given moment. on a cognitive level I know where this stems from, that being shamed and made feel guilty a lot when I was little plays an important part in this. But for me, knowing the connections doesn't bring about any change.

So being in this group situation (which I still hate somehow) I quickly realized that I have to take responsibility for myself and for my needs. For the things I want/need from the group and/or the therapist. Either I open my mouth and make myself heard or I don't. It's up to me, I cant shift the responsibility for what I need towards someone else. Made me freak out in the beginning, but the (inner) freaking out is getting less each time I'm doing this.

Also, one of my problems is staying with "myself" (my feelings, needs, wants, desires) while I'm interacting with others. I tend to quickly abandon myself once someone else is entering the equation. So being in this group context I have to learn how to stay true to myself and my needs while entering interaction with the rest of the group. Which I find terribly demanding. But at the same time, having to do this again and again has facilitated noticable changes.

Hope this makes some sense.
Best wishes,
c_r

[feileacan]

Originally Posted by cinnamon_roll

So being in this group situation (which I still hate somehow) I quickly realized that I have to take responsibility for myself and for my needs. For the things I want/need from the group and/or the therapist. Either I open my mouth and make myself heard or I don't. It's up to me, I cant shift the responsibility for what I need towards someone else. Made me freak out in the beginning, but the (inner) freaking out is getting less each time I'm doing this.

Also, one of my problems is staying with "myself" (my feelings, needs, wants, desires) while I'm interacting with others. I tend to quickly abandon myself once someone else is entering the equation. So being in this group context I have to learn how to stay true to myself and my needs while entering interaction with the rest of the group. Which I find terribly demanding. But at the same time, having to do this again and again has facilitated noticable changes.

Very interesting. I think I would experience the same problems in group. Anyway I can see how it can be very beneficial although I think that probably for me it would be too early still, probably I would still just withdraw.

[Donutworryrelax]

Originally Posted by cinnamon_roll

Hi,

for me the individual setting feels safer, more "cozy", I have the undivided attention of the therapist, she is fully focused on me.

My "normal" or "learned" (from family constellation) pattern in a group would be to completely withdraw, to feel unimportant, wanting to be asked or "invited" before saying anything. To avoid the risks that go with showing what's on my mind or what is important to me in any given moment. on a cognitive level I know where this stems from, that being shamed and made feel guilty a lot when I was little plays an important part in this. But for me, knowing the connections doesn't bring about any change.

So being in this group situation (which I still hate somehow) I quickly realized that I have to take responsibility for myself and for my needs. For the things I want/need from the group and/or the therapist. Either I open my mouth and make myself heard or I don't. It's up to me, I cant shift the responsibility for what I need towards someone else. Made me freak out in the beginning, but the (inner) freaking out is getting less each time I'm doing this.

Also, one of my problems is staying with "myself" (my feelings, needs, wants, desires) while I'm interacting with others. I tend to quickly abandon myself once someone else is entering the equation. So being in this group context I have to learn how to stay true to myself and my needs while entering interaction with the rest of the group. Which I find terribly demanding. But at the same time, having to do this again and again has facilitated noticable changes.

Hope this makes some sense.
Best wishes,
c_r

Thank you, I actually relate to a lot of this.

[*Laurie*]

Oh, I think it'll be wonderful to be in her group. Years ago, I was in individual therapy and group therapy with the same therapist and it went really well.

[Donutworryrelax]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

Oh, I think it'll be wonderful to be in her group. Years ago, I was in individual therapy and group therapy with the same therapist and it went really well.

I'm very glad to hear this!