Participating in group therapy can feel overwhelming or even intimidating. Many people have similar fears about joining a group such as: “Will I fit in?”, “What if I am ‘too much’”, “Will they understand me?”, “Will I be judged?”. These concerns and fears are valid and shared by many. There is safety in knowing you are not alone. Sometimes, growth is not always comfortable and that is why our therapists at The Refuge Center are here to encourage, support and foster a sense of safety and compassion for your lived experience.
At Refuge, we offer a variety of group therapy options that tend to an array of life’s challenges and triumphs. Group therapy is a unique, evidenced-based approach that supports a sense of community and a reduction in isolation. Group therapy invites participants to practice social skills and gain new perspectives. The group often mirrors the real world, giving members an opportunity to practice new skills and receive feedback from others, often from various cultures and backgrounds who have approached similar experiences. Group therapy is also highly cost-effective. The cost for groups is typically much lower than individual therapy.
Depending on the type of group you chose, you can anticipate a variety of modalities and interventions. All group exercises are invitational. You have the choice of what and how much you would like to share. There are typically 4 types of groups: task groups, psychoeducational groups, counseling groups, and brief therapy groups. For our purposes here, we will be focusing on the last 3 types of therapeutic groups.
Psychoeducational groups are focused on furthering member’s understanding of various mental health issues. A group of this type can last from 4 to 15 weeks, each session lasting 1-2 hours weekly. Counseling groups aim to provide the essential balance of support and challenge required to engage in self-reflection. These groups offer support. While individual circumstances may differ, the pain is universal. Psychotherapy groups are similar to counseling groups, however, they are more treatment oriented. Many people that find these groups beneficial have lived experience with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and various other presenting concerns that are affecting one’s daily living. Brief therapy groups are focused on efficiency and meet for a limited time. These groups are often most helpful with medical illnesses, trauma responses, complicated grief, and adjustment problems.
Group therapy reduces isolation and provides members with a sense of community and universality to their individual struggles. There is comfort in knowing you are not alone. Groups provide hope. By watching other members grow and become more self-aware is inspiring. Participating in group therapy also gets you out of your own head for a while. Instead of being isolated or consumed with our circumstance, there is a healing benefit to showing up for others. If you do happen to miss a session, you will most definitely be missed. Each individual plays an important role in group cohesion.
If you are already in individual therapy at Refuge, we invite you to speak with your individual therapist about groups that may be the right fit for your current season of life. If you are not in individual therapy at Refuge, but would like to join a group, you can find more information under the Services tab. We would love to come along side you on your journey!
