Group Therapy And Support Groups

[rightkindofme]

I actually think I would have done better in group therapy *not* run by my personal therapist. I couldn't handle the divided loyalties in the room. It felt like a constant betrayal even though I know it is "healthy".

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I often find this on the forum and have to be careful about it. In fact, when I've considered group therapy (and decided against it) one thing I thought about was how I feel being on here, where at least I can choose what/who I pay attention to and what/who I don't.

This is why I can't read journals! I'm usually ok on the other forums, but diaries just go too deep for me. Once I had horrible nightmares about someone else's trauma. And the thing is I don't ever have nightmares, not even about my own trauma.

I think that you need to be in a good (enough) place to go to group as to be able to handle the things said in group. I'm not saying to forego the idea of group altogether; rather just make sure you're mentally prepared for a group setting.

 

[piratelady]

rather just make sure you're mentally prepared for a group setting.

I think that is smart thinking. I'm going to pass on the whole group therapy thing until I'm in a better place.

 

[I Can Do This]

I would be interested in going to one - however, it would have to be about healing and not about telling the stories about why everyone has PTSD.

I have a girlfriend that is also interested in psychology and has issues from childhood but I would not say she is PTSD. We talk all the time to each other about what we are feeling, learning, what the therapist said, we go to yoga together and read books at the same time. I really think that one on one close friendship has helped me enormously.

So maybe if you went to group - and met someone there that you could be friends with, that might open up an important relationship. Just a thought.

 

[Only 1 of me]

I was very hesitant about group therapy but when I was in hospital last year the main focus of treatment was group therapy and I did get a lot from it. There is something very powerful about hearing someone else's experiences, even when they are very different from your own. In group I learned that I can speak, I can listen, and what I have to say may have value for others. However, it is also about learning that people are all different, some people 'hog' the time, some are overly negative, some make quick judgements etc. and we are all learning. The facilitator is important, they need to have the gravitas to hold the space and hold boundaries when needed and know when to encourage and when to challenge. By the end of my second hospital admission I felt that I was done with groups and ready for one to ones but I would encourage anyone who hasn't been in groups to keep an open mind.