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Group Therapy

What is group psychotherapy?

Group psychotherapy is one of the methods of psychotherapy based on the presence of one or more therapists responsible for creating a therapeutic environment characterized by acceptance, safety, privacy and confidentiality for a group of individuals concerned with the desire to change their maladaptive behaviours, thoughts and feelings, taking into account the uniqueness and privacy of each person in the group. American Wellness Center in Dubai Healthcare City provides a safe environment for individuals to share their stories in groups.

Why is group psychotherapy appealing and what are the therapeutic factors?
  • Universality: Members recognize that other members share similar feelings, thoughts and problems.
  • Altruism: Members gain a boost to self-concept through extending help to other group members.
  • Instillation of hope: Members recognize that other members’ success can be helpful and they develop optimism for their own improvement.
  • Imparting information: Education or advice provided by the therapist or group members.
  • Corrective recapitulation of primary family experience: Opportunity to re-enact critical family dynamics with group members in a corrective manner.
  • Development of socializing techniques: The group provides members with an environment that fosters adaptive and effective communication.
  • Imitative Behaviour: Members expand their personal knowledge and skills through the observation of Group members’ self-exploration, working through and personal development.
  • Cohesiveness: Feelings of trust, belonging and togetherness experienced by the group members.
  • Existential factors: Members accept responsibility for life decisions.
  • Catharsis: Members release of strong feelings about past or present experiences.
  • Interpersonal learning-input: Members gain personal insight about their interpersonal impact through feedback provided from other members.
  • Self-understanding: Members gain insight into psychological motivation, underlying behaviours and emotional reactions.
  • Catharsis: Ventilation of feelings such as anger, anxiety, sadness, guilt and shame lead to an emotional release which makes sense as experiences.Sharing this in a group reduces isolation and enables trust. Reliving of repressed and usually painful experiences and bringing it to consciousness with the idea to create better insight.
  • Acceptance: Sense of being accepted in the group and experience of tolerance. Risks can be taken without disastrous effects or judgment.
  • Consensual validation: Making a comparison between the own conceptualization and those of others with the chance of correction.
  • Contagion: The process of emotions, expressed by somebody, stimulate the awareness of similar emotions in the observer.

Types of Therapy Groups

  • According to setting:
    • Inpatient Group Therapy – for patients inside mental hospitals.
    • Outpatient Group Therapy – for patients outside mental hospitals.
  • According to size:
    • Small groups: A small group requires a minimum of three members and the upper  range of a small group size is 15 – 20 members.
    • Medium sized groups: From 20 to 100 persons.
    • Large groups: more than 100 members. It is just for certain groups as professional training groups.
  • According to Duration:
    • Short-term: less than 16 sessions.
    • Long-term: More than 16 sessions.
  • According to patients’ diagnoses:
    • Homogenous therapy group: Members have same diagnosis.
    • Heterogeneous therapy group: Members have different diagnoses.
  • According to the approach of the group:
    • Cognitive-behavioural group therapy(clickable link to CBT content)  helps people to identify and change patterns of negative thoughts and behaviours.
    • Interpersonal group therapy: helps people with several different mental health problems by addressing their personal relationships, including family, friends, and  colleagues. These group therapy sessions can often be broken into small groups to work on peer-to-peer relationships.
    • Psychoeducational group therapy: involves a group of people who are working on common problems. It’s typically used when someone has experienced a significant life event and needs to process what happened.
    • Skill development group therapy: is designed to help people improve their skills in different fields. This kind of therapy uses the idea of learning through doing and teaching by example to achieve this goal.
    • Support group therapy: is an approach for treating groups of individuals with a diagnosis of a mental disorder such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and more. This kind of therapy includes peer-support groups to deal with the symptoms of the disorder and provides a sense of belonging.

Who can benefit from group psychotherapy?

Everyone can benefit from group psychotherapy especially for those suffering from:

  • Depression: mild to moderate degree.
  • Anxiety:  mild to moderate degree of generalized anxiety disorder, panic Disorder and specific phobias.
  • Poor communication skills and mild to moderate degree of social phobia.
  • Low self-esteem and negative thoughts about self and life.
  • Personality disorders: as borderline personality disorder.
  • Adjustment disorders: with need to support.
  • Eating disorders:  as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating.

F.A.Q

Group Therapy is a form of psychotherapy where a small group of individuals with similar concerns meet regularly to share experiences, support each other, and learn coping strategies under the guidance of a licensed therapist. At Identity Consultancy, Group Therapy offers a supportive environment where participants can discuss challenges, learn new skills, and gain insights from others facing similar issues.

Group Therapy can address a wide range of emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues, including:

  • Anxiety disorders (e.g., social anxiety, generalized anxiety)
  • Depression
  • Stress management
  • Grief and loss
  • Relationship issues
  • Addiction and substance use disorders
  • Chronic illness or pain
  • Trauma or PTSD

In Group Therapy sessions at the Identity Consultancy:

  • A licensed therapist leads the group, creating a safe, structured environment for sharing and discussion.
  • Participants are encouraged to express their feelings, discuss challenges, and offer support to one another.
  • The therapist may introduce specific topics or therapeutic techniques, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or mindfulness exercises, to help participants learn new coping skills.
  • Confidentiality is emphasized to ensure that all participants feel comfortable sharing openly.
  • Group sizes typically range from 5 to 10 members, providing enough space for meaningful interaction while ensuring individual attention.

The benefits of Group Therapy include:

  • Peer support: Participants can connect with others who are facing similar challenges, reducing feelings of isolation.
  • New perspectives: Hearing how others manage similar issues can provide new insights and coping strategies.
  • Emotional relief: Sharing experiences in a supportive environment can be cathartic and help individuals process difficult emotions.
  • Skill development: The therapist may teach techniques for managing anxiety, depression, or stress, which can be practiced and reinforced in a group setting.
  • Increased self-awareness: Participants often gain a better understanding of their own thoughts and behaviors by interacting with others in the group.

Group Therapy can be just as effective as individual therapy, particularly for individuals dealing with issues such as anxiety, depression, grief, or relationship challenges. The shared environment allows participants to benefit from both the therapist’s guidance and the experiences of others. For some individuals, Group Therapy may offer unique advantages, such as the opportunity to build social skills or receive feedback from peers. At Identity Consultancy is often offered in conjunction with individual therapy to provide a comprehensive treatment approach.

Group Therapy sessions at Identity Consultancy are led by licensed therapists who have experience facilitating group dynamics and addressing the specific issues being discussed in the group. These therapists guide the discussion, ensure that all participants feel heard, and introduce therapeutic techniques to help the group progress.

During your first Group Therapy session at Identity Consultancy :

  • The therapist will introduce the group members and explain the structure of the sessions.
  • Ground rules, such as confidentiality and respect for others, will be established.
  • You will be encouraged to share as much as you feel comfortable with, but there is no pressure to speak until you’re ready.
  • The therapist may introduce a specific topic for discussion, or the group may focus on participants’ concerns for that session.

It’s natural to feel a little nervous before your first session, but most participants find that they quickly become comfortable as the group provides a supportive and understanding environment.

Group Therapy sessions at Identity Consultancy typically include 5 to 10 participants. This size allows for a balance of meaningful interaction and personal attention from the therapist while ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to share and contribute.

Group Therapy differs from individual therapy in that it involves multiple participants rather than one-on-one sessions with a therapist. While individual therapy focuses on personal issues in a private setting, Group Therapy offers the added benefit of peer support and shared experiences. Participants can learn from others, receive feedback, and practice interpersonal skills in a group setting, which can enhance personal growth. Both forms of therapy can be complementary, and some individuals choose to participate in both individual and group therapy.

Yes, many individuals benefit from combining Group Therapy with individual therapy. While Group Therapy offers the opportunity to share and learn from others in a supportive environment, individual therapy provides more personalized attention to address specific concerns in-depth. At Identity Consultancy, your therapist can help determine whether a combination of both therapies would be beneficial for your situation.

Group Therapy may be right for you if:

  • You are looking for support from others who are experiencing similar challenges.
  • You feel isolated or alone in your struggles and want to connect with others.
  • You are interested in learning new coping strategies from a group setting.
  • You want to improve your social or communication skills in a supportive environment.

If you’re unsure whether Group Therapy is right for you, our team at Identity Consultancy can provide a consultation to discuss your needs and recommend the most suitable therapy options.

Identity Consultancy

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