Group psychotherapy aims to assist people to make basic but fundamental and lasting changes in their lives and relationships. Group support provides a beneficial environment for personal development, growth and understanding.
Joining a group is an opportunity to come to an understanding about, and address, many of the difficult relationship issues we struggle with in work, family and social settings.
In the safe and confidential setting of a psychotherapy group, life crises and issues such as social isolation, low self-esteem, loss, depression and recovering from addiction, can be talked about and new insights and ways of coping can be discovered.
Groups usually have from five to nine men and women. Confidentiality is very important and members will not know each other outside of the group setting.
The group meet for 1.5 hours on a weekly basis at a fixed time, usually in the evening under the guidance of a group therapist. The group provides an opportunity for people of different ages, backgrounds and bringing different issues to share and talk, and gradually over time build relations with each other.
The process can lead to greater self-confidence and an increased capacity for healthy relationships in every aspect of life. Group therapy is a method of exploring and embracing change. Change takes time and we suggest that members make a commitment of at least 12 months. This is a commitment to yourself to work on real and lasting change in your life and in the way you relate to others.
Group Therapy is now widely practiced throughout the world in a variety of clinical, therapeutic, community, educational and organizational settings. For those interested in training to become a group analyst either working with organizations or therapeutically, training is currently available in St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elmpark, run by the Irish Institute of Group Analysis. The training is also available in Britain and other international locations.
GAP was set up specifically to provide group psychotherapy. All of its practitioners are members of professional psychotherapy organizations. When you contact the practice your first session will be with the assessment psychotherapist who will help you work out the suitability of group therapy for your needs and to ascertain which group will provide the most appropriate setting. You will then meet the group psychotherapist and prepare to join the group. Groups meet for about 42 sessions per year. Members will be notified well in advance of the breaks.
To discuss group support options in more detail, contact GAP today.
