department-of-health-services
Information about Group Therapy Services
University counseling offices, in most centers, also offer group counseling services. Each group is led by a psychologist or a counseling specialist. Some specific topics of these groups include test anxiety or stress management. Some counseling groups are more general in nature and help participants resolve a wide range of personal issues, including feelings of depression, excessive anxiety, worry, problems related to self‑worth, and relationship difficulties.
What happens in a counseling group?
Generally, groups consist of 4 to 8 people who meet regularly once a week for one hour.
Full attendance at all sessions, from the beginning to the end of each session, is very important. In group sessions, participants discuss their concerns. In some groups, the counselor may work individually with each participant while also seeking input from a few other group members. In other groups, the sessions are primarily based on observations and discussions between participants and the counselor, with the counselor providing guidance when necessary to facilitate the process.
Since everyone's problems are different, how can a group be helpful to me?
Each person is a unique individual, and therefore their concerns are also unique. However, as human beings, we also share many commonalities (we all begin our development within families, we all react to trauma in similar ways, we all essentially possess the same capacity for growth and change). Our experiences show that although the problems people bring into counseling may differ, the underlying causes of these problems are often similar.
The root cause of many of our life problems lies in patterns and habits that we learned during our development. These patterns may no longer be effective in our current life situations or may even hold us back. (For example, our family may have taught us to avoid expressing certain emotions. Now, when faced with the natural pressures of adult life, the suppressed feelings resulting from this avoidance may manifest as symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or overreaction.)
The goal of counseling is to learn about our emotional and behavioral habits and patterns, and to understand how they contribute to our problems. As a result, we can learn new habits and behaviors that help us become more successful.
Although it may seem strange to think that there are things we don't know about ourselves, experience shows that many of our problematic habits and behavioral patterns are things we do automatically—so much so that we don't even consider that they might be learned and optional.
The group provides a unique environment for understanding and learning about ourselves, others, and ourselves in relation to others. As a result, we become more effective in our relationships with others and in our relationship with ourselves outside the group. Group therapy gives us the opportunity to use the helpful observations and support of others to understand and change our ways of living.
Can't I just use individual (help) methods?
While individual counseling is very useful for specific and severe problems, experience shows that group therapy is often even more beneficial for many issues. In group counseling, we have the opportunity to realize that many of our terrifying secrets and aspects of ourselves that we find detestable are actually common human experiences, and this realization is very helpful.
Shame and embarrassment deprive many people of the benefits of group therapy. Overcoming feelings related to this aspect of ourselves is an important part of living and becoming more successful. Group therapy is very beneficial in this regard.
Confidentiality and Trust
Everything said in the group is kept confidential. It is not shared outside the group, nor is it discussed with others outside the group or even with other group members. Each group member agrees to abide by this rule by signing a (consent form).
(If you would like to take advantage of group counseling opportunities to understand yourself better and change problematic aspects of your behavior, please contact the experts at the counseling offices.)
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