Joining A Group

[EveHarrington]

@Lifetraveller

Have you ever been in group therapy?

I am not understanding your use of the word recourse in this context. Can you please explain?

IMHO we are all each responsible for our own triggers. Of course groups should have guidelines, but in the end we control our own reactions.

I don't see a blurring of boundaries if the therapist is acting in a therapeutic role. Meet up is a means to form the group, nothing more I am guessing.

 

[watundah]

I'm not sure I can think of a better way to form a group - ad in the paper? That seems kind of irrelevant as Meetup is a way to connect and if you search you'll find there are many mental health groups posted.

@KeepingTime I appreciate those questions very much. That's the kind of wisdom I am looking for.

 

[The Albatross]

Naw, heck no, not ad in the paper. Any group needs a trained facilitator with some semblance of experience and credentials. Really.

 

[watundah]

Swing and a miss!

 

[KeepingTime]

Yw @watundah I do hope this goes well for you! Just Don't be afraid to ask questions! :)

 

[Kailani]

Had a great group experience! Hope you do too!

 

[Lifetraveller]

@Lifetraveller

Have you ever been in group therapy?

I am not understanding...

Hey Eve,

I have never been in group therapy.

I think I used the word recourse incorrectly. I meant to point out that if a participant has a problem with the Meet Up therapist or another participant, how will it be dealt with in a way that's satisfactory to the participant with the problem, short of that participant leaving the group without any responsible follow up?

I think the MU therapist may think the s/he is acting in a therapeutic role, but how are the participants protected against malfeasance? What are the therapist's credentials to perform group therapy? If we had a cancer, would we go to a Meet Up group created by someone saying that s/he is a healer for cancer treatment and that this would be performed during the meet up?

My comments come from my interpretations of events in Canada where for years it seems anyone could 'put out a shingle' saying that s/he is a psychotherapist and that is now being much more closely regulated. I think this is for the better.

Another question that would underline what may be happening in this MU group is, how do we know the therapist isn't selling 'snake oil'?

I appreciate that Watundah would like to work on social anxiety, but then why not join a (free of charge) MU group for an activity W is really interested in where there are no claims being made as to the therapeutic nature of the meetings?

 

[The Albatross]

I actually only had one go round with group therapy, with a psychotherapist and like 6 other participants. I hated it. However, I'm not in the same place I was then. Within a facilitated group, with someone with training, I'd likely submit myself to the experience again... though in my area that's through the VA and combat PTSD... so, though I do a search for groups in my area a couple times a year, it's a no go.

 

[Tinyflame]

I'll cut right to the chase. What happens if you get triggered or re-traumatized in that group? What happens if any one of the participants does? What recourse do you have?

I think you *all* (including your regular therapist, whom I'm assuming is a licensed professional) need to examine the fit here, and not just to see if *you* fit the *group*.

^ Something easy to overlook when feeling badly about ourselves, or anxious/ trying to gain ground/ survive.

Please ask your regular therapist for help on this before you commit to anything.

Think the above deserves consideration.

I think the experience of trying to cope with, or overcome ptsd makes me feel ready to try anything, which is not wise at all. (JMHO).

FWIW, I agreed to a 'kindness' yesterday, not realizing I knew the person from 'somewhere'..? (not good). It was like my brain couldn't discriminate/ remember what I needed to recall. :(

.. why not join a (free of charge) MU group for an activity W is really interested in where there are no claims being made as to the therapeutic nature of the meetings?

 

[EveHarrington]

Hey Eve,

I have never been in group therapy.

I think I used the word recourse incorrectly. I me...

I understand. You're probably right-----it could create hazy boundaries. I am not sure about the ethics of it all as a meet up group is supposed to be social I believe but this person is essentially setting up a medical/therapeutic service. It's much different than a group of sufferers who come together to support one another.

 

[Lifetraveller]

Of course I'm writing this without knowing the therapists credentials and membership in a regulatory body. Maybe these are all in place.

I went on the Meet Up site and searched for "group therapy" and "psychotherapy". The only person who came up indicated that he was a licensed social worker, but there was no mention of fees. It led people to his practice's website. There were a number of peer support groups for different diagnoses, but they did not claim to be therapeutic.

I suppose there are professional psychotherapists using Meet Up as free advertising for their services. I suppose that professional group therapy is hard to come by wherever one is located.

I would have to go to another city two hours from me if I want to do group therapy and it costs about as much as one-on-one therapy.

 

[joeylittle]

I firmly believe there's no harm in trying something like a new group. Running a group is not the same as providing one-on-one therapy, and some do it just because they are passionate about creating support networks.

The two best questions to ask upfront are:

• What are the group guidelines? (Rules about outside contact, confidentiality, etc)
• Is this group going to be processing trauma, or is it more skills-based?

If there are no guidelines, at all, don't go. Otherwise, see how they look to you.

If it's a processing group - meaning, people will get into the nitty-gritty of their trauma - the leader should be licensed to practice psychotherapy in some form. If it's not about processing, but instead about discussing dealing with the ramifications of trauma in your lives - ideally, the leader will at minimum have peer-support group facilitation training. Even better if they have a degree in mental health, whether they are licensed or are working towards their licensure.

And then, it's just go and see and listen to your gut.