Tips For A Good Group Therapy Experience
Attending group therapy can be very beneficial. It gives you the chance to listen to and learn from others' experiences. You may also feel more comfortable in a group setting where all of the attention is not entirely on you. However, succeeding in group therapy does require a somewhat different set of skills and strategies than one-on-one therapy. Here are some tips for a good group therapy experience.
Set the intention to share something
You may not feel comfortable sharing your whole story or asking a really deep question in your first group therapy session. That's okay. You should, however, set the intention to share something in therapy. Even if it is a small struggle you encountered that week or something small you noticed about yourself, sharing this small tidbit gets you used to sharing. It gives the other group members a chance to be supportive, too. Over time, you'll grow more comfortable sharing more and more, but it all starts with one little share in the first place.
Respect group rules
Every group therapy session has some rules you and other participants are asked to abide by. For example, you may be asked not to share any of the group members' stories outside of the group. Or, you may be asked not to offer feedback unless it is positive. Check what these rules are before a session, and do your best to abide by them. Doing so helps keep the group a safe space for everyone involved.
Listen intently to others
Put your phone away, and do your best to focus when others are speaking. Don't just sit and wait your turn to talk. If you listen to what others say and then pay attention to what the group leader says in response, you may pick up some tips and advice that are helpful in your own situation.
Let your emotions out
Some people default to being really poised and professional in a group setting. If possible, try to let go of your restraint and allow yourself to feel emotions. When you feel emotions, you are more apt to express yourself clearly and meaningfully. You can get feedback on your emotions and support from the group, too.
With the tips above, you can have a more productive time in group therapy. Remember that results do not usually occur overnight. It's totally normal if it takes a few sessions for you to settle in and fully implement the tips above.