Group Therapy
Do you sometimes feel held back from sharing your true thoughts and feelings, even in your closest relationships?
The premise of group therapy (or group process) is that the more we’re able to be open with ourselves and others—and pay attention to what makes that hard—the more alive, connected, and free we can feel in our lives and relationships.
You might be a good fit for group if:
you deeply want to be in closer relationships with others, but don’t know how.
you care for others, but find it hard to accept help or care for yourself. It can feel easier to meet others’ expectations than to speak up for what you need.
you’re unsatisfied with how often you keep what you’re feeling or thinking to yourself.
you sometimes react quickly in anger, which can leave you feeling more distant from family, friends, or coworkers. Or the opposite–you rarely feel angry, and often blame yourself for things that go wrong.
you don’t feel a strong sense of motivation, meaning or purpose in life. There are important parts of who you are—experiences that have shaped you, your cultural or racial background, or your gender identity or sexual orientation—that you don’t feel comfortable sharing even with those you feel closest to.
it’s hard for you to sit with difficult feelings of thoughts. Or you find you react to different situations with one or a few repeated feelings, whether that be anger, sadness, shame or guilt, fear, or disdain.
you’re turning to things like substances, constant work, or other habits to numb uncomfortable thoughts or feelings, leaving you feeling isolated.
What does neuroscience have to say about the relational challenges we face?
The ways we connect with others often relates to how we first bonded with our caregivers. Neuroscience has confirmed that these early relationships help shape how we relate to others as we grow. While the neural pathways laid down in childhood don’t completely disappear, over time we can build new pathways by trying out and repeating new ways of thinking, feeling, and acting.
Psychotherapy research shows that change in therapy does not occur primarily as a result of willpower, insight, or catharsis. Change occurs through new emotional experiences and new interactions with others. Group therapy is designed to provide just this—a living laboratory for exploring and practicing fresh patterns of connection with yourself and others. The therapist’s role is to provide support as you take these steps toward new ways of relating and being with yourself.
Why I offer groups
What makes group process effective is that you don’t just talk about your relationships, you get to experience them in the moment with other group members.
I’ve found that process groups are often uniquely helpful for those who want to build stronger, more fulfilling relationships, become more accepting of themselves, and experience more depth and meaning in their lives. As the group deepens, members often find themselves more emotionally alive, more able to name and express their thoughts and feelings, and more able to experience closeness and difference. Over time, what people learn and feel in group starts to ripple outward into their friendships, partnerships, families, and work relationships.
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Let’s work together to help you build the kind of relationships and life you want.
If you’re wondering whether group might be good fit for you and want to learn more, and want to take the next step, contact me for a free consultation.