[Donutworryrelax]

Hi, everyone

So, I recently posted about a group therapy screening that I was nervous about. I am very happy to say that I got in, and I'm very grateful to all of the people who gave me advice.

However, now I'm a little nervous for group therapy, just because I'm pretty shy and often don't know when/how to speak up in group settings. My group therapy is "unstructured" (a process group) with ten people in it, and my first session is on Tuesday.

Does anyone have any experience in process groups and have any advice on speaking up if you're shy?

Thanks.

[junkDNA]

I have about 6 years of experience in a process group. I think everyone feel shy and uncomfortable. It's a strange and uncomfortable thing in the beginning but soon people warm up to each other and if the group is a good fit it can be pretty healing. I think it offers and nice add-on to individual therapy. Especially for trauma. I am a pretty shy person too. Don't be worried if it takes you longer to warm up to the group than others. I found later in starting and finishing these kinds of groups that if I just said in the beginning that I am shy and it might take me a while people are understanding and patient. How long does this group run for or is it ongoing?

[ScarletPimpernel]

I just started a new group last week. I'm a very shy person as well. I just try to show my appreciation for other people opening up and try to relate to their feelings. I also made sure to let the group know I suffer from social anxiety...badly. I didn't necessarily feel included. I felt like I dropped in to a cliche. But no one made me feel unwelcomed. It's just me being new. I'm going back again and hopefully it will feel a little better. My T says to give it four times before making a decision.

[cinnamon_roll]

I've joined a group a few weeks ago (art therapy). I find group settings tremendously difficult. Due to shyness, but also due to a feeling that this setting is beyond my control.

I know it takes me a long while to adapt to change and to new situations. And I know that whenever I'm feeling shy, other people might perceive this as arrogance and aloofness. So I made a point to tell the others that in new situations I tend to feel rather shy, and that it might take quite a while for me to warm up and to open up a bit more.

So far people in group have been ok. There are a couple who can really annoy me due to various reasons.... I'm not sure what to do about this. What "group etiquette" might suggest.

Things I've found helpful: Feeling a sense of connection with the others. Learning from others, how they deal with situations that I tend to struggle with as well. Having fun with them while paiting/drawing.

The struggles I've had so far with the group have been mostly transference related with the group therapist. I used to have individual sessions with her. And she 'forced' me into this group, because she re-organized her schedule and stopped working on "my" day of the week...