Posted by Fi on May 20, 2002, at 7:19:35
In reply to Group therapy, posted by Dinah1 on May 16, 2002, at 9:16:32
Mark H has made a whole load of really useful comments which I would agree with (have to confess I havent read all the others yet!)
One thing I would add is that a lot depends on how skilled the therapist is, rather than all being down to the type of people the members are. They need to ensure the group is a safe environment (a bit like what Dr Bob does for these boards).
They also need to create an environment where there is safe space for some constructive feedback. I once went to a support group (no therapist) which got nowhere as every session there was a woman who would describe at length how awful her life was. Always the same problems. Other group members would try to help, suggesting ways (within her resources) she could deal with the problems. She never took any action, or made any sign of even having heard them. And next session we would have a rerun.... A good therapist would have either pointed out to her what had been said before, or made it safe for others to do so, and to maybe help her (gently) to see that she was choosing not to act, and explore why that was. And also focus on how she was feeling, rather than it being her just presenting a list of problems. And also allow the group to explore why they gpt drawn into repeatedly trying to offer her solutions, despite the obvious unhelpfulness of this to her.
There can also be all sorts of weird things going on at a concious or emotional level, so its a good idea to have a therapist skilled in managing those too.
So trying it for a few weeks sounds a possible option? It *is* scarey, but you can also learn a lot from what other people do, and the feedback and support they can give you.
But its not compulsory!
Fi
poster:Fi
thread:3
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20020516/msgs/38.html