What happens in group therapy?

[Stacey1992]

I’ve been referred for group therapy and after spending quite some time researching it on the internet I still don’t really understand what it is or what happens in it. I was just wondering if anyone has had it and would be able to explain a bit about it to me? Thank you x

Do you know what type of therapy it is? CBT, psychodynamic etc. Different types of therapy will be very different.

IME people have a chance to share heir experiences in a safe group setting and hear each other’s stories and experiences. A group facilitator will help to explore the deeper issues arising and perhaps lead discussion so you can all be a help in supporting/challenging each other. They’re often very positive.

@Isadora2007 that’s what I was hoping it would be! This might sound an odd question but how does it start- does everyone have to say something about themselves or does someone get asked a question and it just develops from there? (If that makes sense!)

@NoBaggyPants I’m not sure- I think it’s psychodynamic

My group cbt class started with an ice breaker using skittles! We never had to share if we didn't want to.

@ilovetrees30 ooh that doesn’t sound too bad!

Have you met with a psychologist individually first? You'll need to be assessed so they can be sure that is the right environment for you (and for you to be in a group with others - I'm sure you're fine in this respect!).

Psychodynamic therapy is very different to other therapies, it can be very challenging and in a group environment that can mean more support but also more challenges. The group will usually be made up of people at different stages in their therapy journey, so others may seem more confident or comfortable than you, but they've all been the new person at some point.

Group psychodynamic therapy didn't work for me because I completely lost my voice. Everyone will have different experiences, but as someone with crushingly low self esteem trying to speak in front of others just made me want to crawl into a hole. Everyone was kind and polite, but the feeling of everyone staring at me was too much.

(I may have escaped and locked myself in the loo...)

You're definitely not going to get icebreakers and skittles with psychodynamic therapy. Sorry!

Psychodynamic just means that the past will be looked at in detail like childhood and family situation as well as possibly exploring unconscious stuff like dreams and fantasies and looking at how you defend against difficult things (avoidance is an example of this- as shown by the PP who hid in the loo)

I would find it unlikely that you’d experience just pure psychodynamic therapy rather than talking therapy alongside psychodynamic and the leader is likely to be experienced in helping people to feel as a group and give you space to feel comfortable etc. Good luck.

@NoBaggyPants Yes I had an assessment a few weeks ago- she felt I would work through my issues better in a group, and that I may benefit from hearing other people's experiences and how they've come to terms with them. Again, this might be an odd question but do you have to share a lot about yourself with the group?

I went to a group class and found that the majority were ME ME ME Princesses and when it was my turn they wanted to know EVERYTHING about my WHOLE life and especially my personal experiences of the problem which was then compared to their alleged worse problem even though they had never seen me in their life prior to the meeting, so keep an open mind and expect the worse and hopefully if you are lucky you may get something out of the group therapy, but dont hold your breathe.

@Isadora2007 I thought I may get talking therapy alongside it- I meant to ask but forgot, she didn't mention anything about it but I hope I will

Thanks everyone! Also, again this may sound an odd question but do arguments happen a lot in therapy? I’m just imagining that people will be defensive

depends which one thinks they are in charge