What to Expect From Group Therapy

In this animation, TurningPointCT.org explains what to expect from your first group therapy session, as well as debunks some myths about group therapy itself.

[michaelkimball]

If this is an example of group, there is little wonder that people would be skeptical. I understand that no characterization could capture the group experience but clearly the producers of this video subscribe to the biological and cognitive model. If someone is interested in group that involves something other than just talking look for videos featuring Robert Goulding or Fritz Perls.

[queenpearl]

I start group therapy next week and I'm really nervous that i wont open up at all

[ke]

What would be the next step in group therapy to talk about? Really wondering how it works..

[cadmantheaviator]

Could joining an analytic group cause depression to relapse? I've been going to group for over a year and feel hopelessly depressed and anxious. I find the psychotherapist's stance very difficult. It feels impossible to talk about feelings around the therapist. I wondered if the shift from individual appointments to group has triggered a horrible feeling of loss. Trying to explain the stress to therapist is taken as my "ambivalence" Can it ever just be TOO MUCH for some patients who don't want to disclose personal material in a group?
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REPLY

[spiritfly]

The group that I've been through was terribly ugly.

[cadmantheaviator]

Beware what you try. I stayed against my better judgement for over a year in group analytic psychotherapy. My health declined, I felt suicidal and unable to think about anything besides the fear I felt about the therapist and their tactics. Crudely manipulative and judgemental. My autonomy degraded with repeated insistence that I would not accept the "care" of the group. A terrifying experience that will forever mean I cannot conceive of trusting someone who calls themselves a "psychotherapist." Be careful. People who think they know what's best for other people, are the most dangerous of all.

[allenp]

This is not group therapy. Not at all.