Q. Last semester I visited the Counseling Center several times to partake in individual therapy as I was feeling very stressed and overwhelmed, and found the sessions to be quite helpful.  I recently heard about Group Therapy sessions from a friend and was wondering if you could explain how Group Therapy differs from individual therapy sessions. What happens in Group Therapy, how does it work, and what do I talk about? What types of Group Therapy sessions does the Counseling Center offer? 

~ Student Interested in Group Therapy

A. Group therapy, like individual therapy, is intended to help people who would like to gain support, increase self-awareness, and learn new ways to cope with personal or interpersonal challenges. Group therapy can be especially effective for people interested in exploring their interpersonal style and enhancing their approach to relationships in such areas as trust, intimacy, anger, conflict, assertiveness, taking risks, or improving self-esteem. Some groups are more theme-focused (e.g., Dissertation Support Group) with more of an exclusive emphasis on providing support and strategic problem-solving. The best way to learn about a specific group is to talk with the leader(s) of the group.

There are a variety of factors that make group therapy effective, and these factors will be emphasized to differing degrees depending on the group and/or the group leader(s).  Importantly, group therapy works on many levels. First, it provides a confidential space to be open about issues that are troubling you and to gain support. It is not uncommon for people to feel alone with their problems or circumstances. Discovering that other people can relate to your experiences can be very comforting. Group members can offer validation, as well as fresh ideas or viewpoints for looking at a particular situation.

Another advantage of group therapy is the opportunity to learn about oneself by listening to others. It can be very helpful when listening to other members to consider how what they are saying might apply to you. You will find that you have many things in common with other members and, as they work through their concerns, you can learn a great deal about yourself. It may also be the case that someone raises an issue that seems to really relate to you, but that you might not have been aware of or brought up yourself.

Another reason people join group therapy is to become more aware of patterns in their relationships that are problematic in some way. When people join group they usually begin to recreate the difficulties that brought them to group in the first place. Within the safety of the group, members are able to try out new ways of relating that can then be put into practice in other relationships outside the group.

Because unexpressed feelings are a major reason why people experience difficulties in relationships, sharing your feelings in the group affects how much you will be helped by it. Of course, you control what, how much, and when you share information with the group.

Members talk about whatever is troubling them or whatever brought them into therapy in the first place. Most people are anxious about beginning to talk in group. However, within a few sessions people typically find that they are able to talk in the group and that they get support from other members as they begin to share.

For process groups, the issues discussed each week arise from the members rather than being initiated by the group leader(s). Participants can discuss personal concerns or problems from everyday life; relationships with friends, family members, or significant others; or specific reactions, thoughts, or feelings to events within the group. Essentially, no topic is off limits in the group. In contrast, because theme groups (e.g., Dissertation Support Group) may have a strong didactic and/or problem-solving component, with greater homogeneity concerning member goals (e.g., finishing the dissertation), discussion and/or personal disclosures may be focused more around a specific topic area.

Some examples of Group Therapy offered during the Spring 2009 semester were:

1) Undergrad Therapy Group - Connecting on Campus

This is a weekly, unstructured, process-oriented group for undergraduate students. This group provides an opportunity for members to openly discuss the issues that concern them, such as unsatisfactory relationships (family, friendship or romantic), isolation, anxiety, depression, self-esteem and academic pressures. Group members will help each other better understand their difficulties and will support each other through the process of positive change.

2) Body Image Group

This is a group for undergraduate and graduate women who are struggling with body image concerns. Group members will learn skills to challenge negative beliefs about their bodies, while simultaneously working to develop a positive and accepting stance towards themselves. Group members will also be exposed to mindfulness techniques that will help them to develop a positive mind-body connection.

3) International Students Support Group

This is a support group for international students who are struggling with changes in cultural values, communication patterns, academic standards, and general life style differences. The group will provide our international students a supportive environment to explore their struggles and learn effective coping strategies.

Groups typically run for 75 to 90 minutes and meet once a week for anywhere from a few weeks to a semester or longer. And remember, All services are confidential and free of charge.

~ Guest Tweeted by the Johns Hopkins University Counseling Center