Group Counseling Fact Sheet
WHAT IS GROUP COUNSELING?
When you meet with a counselor for your first time, he or she may recommend that you attend one of our counseling groups. Group counseling is one of the many forms of treatment offered at Counseling Services. In group counseling, a small number of people meet face-to-face with trained group counselors. Interaction between group members is encouraged and provides each person an opportunity to learn more about the way they interact with others, and to try out new ways of behaving. Group members give feedback to each other by expressing their feelings about what someone says or does.
WHY DOES GROUP COUNSELING WORK?
One advantage of group counseling is that people begin to see that they are not alone. Many people feel they are unique because of their problems, and it is encouraging to hear that other people have similar difficulties. In the climate of trust provided by the group, people feel free to care about and help each other. Another benefit of group counseling is that group members have the opportunity to learn a great deal about how they come across to each other. You will be encouraged to challenge yourself, to look at your reactions, and to understand more fully who you are as a social being and as an individual. Group counseling provides a special opportunity for you to learn about your interpersonal style, try on new behaviors, and get honest and direct feedback about how you are coming across.
WHAT DO I TALK ABOUT WHEN I AM IN GROUP COUNSELING?
Talk about what brought you to the counseling center in the first place. Tell the group members what is bothering you. If you need support, let the group know. If you think you need confrontation, let them know this also. It is very important to tell people what you expect of them. Some types of groups focus on a particular problem that you might be experiencing, while others are more general in nature. Groups will sometimes focus on providing information and education, but all groups provide an excellent opportunity for interpersonal growth.
Unexpressed feelings are a major reason why people experience difficulties. Revealing your feelings - self-disclosure - is an important part of group and affects how much you will be helped. How much you talk about yourself depends upon what you are comfortable with. Group is not a place where people are forced to tell their most deep and innermost thoughts. You are ultimately responsible for how much you share. As you experience trust and security in the group, you will feel freer to take risks. You need to determine how active and involved you want to be. Being active means expressing your reactions to what another person is saying or doing, sharing your concerns, listening to another person, asking for clarification when you don’t understand, giving support and comfort, and seeking support for yourself. It’s unrealistic to expect yourself to be verbally active during every session. Sometimes you may feel more reflective than active and prefer to listen and to consider new dimensions of your personality.
COMMON MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT GROUP COUNSELING:
- "Individual counseling is better than group counseling."
If you have been referred to group counseling it is because your intake counselor believes that it is the best way to address your concerns. People are not just put into group counseling because we want to save time or because we don't have space in individual counseling. Experience has shown that group counseling can often be even more effective than individual counseling.
- "I have trouble talking to people; I'll never be able to talk to a group of people."
Most people are initially nervous about the idea of being a group. Most people find that they become more comfortable within a few sessions. Group members remember what it is like to be new to the group, so you will most likely get a lot of support.
- "Group counseling will take longer than individual counseling because I have to share the time with others."
Actually, group counseling is often more efficient than individual counseling for two reasons. First, you can benefit from the group even during sessions where you say little but listen to others. You'll find that you have much in common with other group members, and as they work on a concern you can learn about yourself.