Dispelling Misbeliefs About Group Therapy

When individuals are needing to go through the process of receiving professionally administered counseling, they may have more options available to them than they had originally thought. In particular, group therapy is an effective option for many patients, but this type of treatment can be easy to overlook.

Myth: Group Therapy Is Only Suitable For Those With Social Anxiety Disorders

It can be common for individuals with some social anxiety problems to be referred to group therapy as a way to help the patient learn to overcome these issues. However, these are not the only patients that often benefit from the group therapy format. For example, individuals that are struggling with substance abuse or other issues that benefit from emotional and social support will often find this type of session to be more productive than private therapy. This is due to the fact that it can be impossible for a single therapist to replicate the type of camaraderie, support, and depth of experience that group therapy can provide to patients.

Myth: A Person Will Not Make Progress With Their Condition In A Group Therapy Setting

One belief that is especially common about group therapy is that it will not allow for patients to make much progress in combating their problem. Often, people might think that group therapy is only useful for individuals that are in the final stages of their recovery. However, it is actually possible for individuals to benefit from group therapy fairly early in their treatment. This will be determined by the particular patient in question, and while individuals may be surprised to be referred to a group therapy provider, it is important to take this recommendation seriously.

Myth: You Will Have To Immediately Become A Highly Active Member Of The Discussion

There are many individuals that will suffer from fairly intense anxiety over the thought of having to speak in front of a group. In fact, this is often one of the main reasons individuals might not consider these treatments. However, patients should be aware that they will not have to immediately become extremely active members of the group. In fact, it is common for new patients to only be expected to introduce themselves during their first session. While it may seem like sharing your feelings and problems with the group will be impossible for you to do, patients often find that they feel comfortable enough to start contributing to the discussion within a few sessions.

For more information, contact a company like Andrea Brandt Therapy today.

Share