[Bcefbc]

My therapist wants me to go to a support group or group therapy. It’s not like connected to her or anything she pulled up a list of a bunch of groups in our area and said that I would really benefit from them. I will not go to group therapy. It’s not even something I’d consider. It feels like a violation of my privacy to talk about extremely personal and painful things with people who aren’t bound by HIPPA to keep my privacy. She was really pushy about me going. This isn’t normal for her, she’s never like this but for some reason she feels like I need to do this. I’m not sure how to explain to her that this not something I will do. It is a hard boundary of mine. Any help appreciated.

[ElectricManatee]

I had to say no to group therapy to my T a long time ago. (In hindsight I wish I had gone, but that's another story.) I just said no, I'm not willing to do that, and then I didn't do it. I think she kept forgetting that she suggested it because it came up a few times. After the first time, I started to calmly tell her that I had already declined, and her refusal to take no for an answer was starting to make me angry. Eventually she got the message and dropped the subject.

[Omers]

I have always adamantly refused group therapy. Having a T tell me “hey, this group I know nothing about, with a T I don’t know, and a bunch of people I don’t know in a building I never went to” just seems asinine to me. Like WTF really? You know NOTHING about it other than the marketing ploy but you think it is THE thing for me... NO.

Now, current T is HUGE into group therapy... however.., it is with HIM, in his office, with his wife co-facilitating and he decides who gets in and who doesnt. NOW, that I will strongly consider. I know and trust T, I know how the office is set up for groups, I know the places I would feel safe... and I know he will keep me safe and would not allow me in if he felt it might be a problem.

[susannahsays]

I don't think the therapist would ever suggest I attend a group. She would probably think I might act out and ruin everything.

[piggy momma]

Group therapy is a hard no for me as well. Hold your ground and tell her it is not open for discussion.

[WishfulThinker66]

I want to point out that there is a huge difference between "Group Therapy" and "Support Groups". They aren't even similar. I suggest investigating whether there exists a Support Group in the area. Give the contact person a call. They can give you a really good feel for the vibe you could expect from attending. There are some advantages to attending a Support Group - you are not required to participate is the first that comes to mind. Most are peer moderated a led. You have then the freedom to share - if you so wish - without the fear of being judged or worse. Some do in fact have a professional present but they are more there to help. Their purpose isn't to make determination of the state of your mental health and hospitalise you. Unless you clearly represent a danger to yourself or others they will keep their noses out of your business. The most that I have ever experienced has been a recent situation where the presence of another individual has made me uncomfortable. Are you okay? Is this person a danger?

[SlumberKitty]

I had to tell my former T no about that same subject. I had to tell her a couple of times and then she got it and stopped bringing it up.

[Anne2.0]

Originally Posted by Bcefbc

My therapist wants me to go to a support group or group therapy. It’s not like connected to her or anything she pulled up a list of a bunch of groups in our area and said that I would really benefit from them. I will not go to group therapy. It’s not even something I’d consider. It feels like a violation of my privacy to talk about extremely personal and painful things with people who aren’t bound by HIPPA to keep my privacy. She was really pushy about me going. This isn’t normal for her, she’s never like this but for some reason she feels like I need to do this. I’m not sure how to explain to her that this not something I will do. It is a hard boundary of mine. Any help appreciated.

Long ago, my second therapist suggested group therapy. I think that for CSA survivors, it is considered useful for connecting to others with shared types of experience. Every group has a confidentiality policy and while it might not be HIPPA, I think it's good enough to ensure your privacy. Personally, I think it's worth a try to see how it goes, or even just being willing to talk to the group therapist and find out more about it. Getting more information rather than being closed minded about something might be a useful way to proceed. You can explore the idea further without committing to actually do it.

I spent about 9 months in group therapy before I decided the therapist didn't work for me. But the group experience did do something important for me that individual therapy did not, which was give me a better sense of my impact on other people. I learned that my intentions sometimes fell outside my mark and that sometimes people had weird reactions to me because of their own stuff. And it went a good distance in helping me with the shame and disconnected from people feelings of my past. After my group therapy, I joined a support group that was led by someone (can't remember who) for about 6 months and then we continued meeting on our own until I moved out of town 6 or 7 years later. I'm still in contact with these folks from time to time, and have visited when I've returned back to the state.

You only have to take it one step at a time. Investigate and see if it might be right for you, if you would be comfortable given your concerns about privacy (they are reasonable concerns). You don't have to commit to doing it, but maybe you would be surprised and find out that it might appeal to you.

[ArtleyWilkins]

Are these support groups or therapy groups? There is a difference.

Therapy groups require clients to agree to confidentiality of other members, are led by licensed therapists, and are processing and therapy focused. I've found great benefit from well-organized, well-led group therapy;however, not all group therapy situations are created equally in quality (I've seen both).

Support groups are often run by organizations like NAMI or BPDSA and are more socially oriented with an element of psych education/advocacy mixed in. I've honestly never attended one; I've found support in small groups that are focused more on personal interests and those have helped me become more socially comfortable and additionally have helped me find sources of support beyond therapy.

[nottrustin]

I have never attended group therapy. My T and psychnp alwaus agreed that it would not work for me. I highly suspect Emdr T would agree.

That being said, I work in an IOP/PH program and have many clients who have done really well in the program. Have some clients come in and just cant do it. We explain group therapy is not for everybody.