Group Therapy
What is group therapy?
Group therapy is recommended for a lot of different clients. Group therapy is where a group of people (three or more) meet with a facilitator (usually a therapist) to discuss a common issue. Some therapy groups are open groups (this means clients can join at any time) while some are closed groups (you have to join by the deadline). Probably the biggest name when it comes to group therapy is Irvin Yalom. I love his theory around group therapy and use his book religiously (“The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy”). In this book, he discusses factors that play into groups and how to get the most success out of group therapy. Creating hope, creating corrective experiences, having closeness in the group, and finding support are a few factors that Yalom discusses.
A therapy group focused on perimenopause would incorporate these factors that Yalom discusses. Creating hope and closeness in the group will be two of the first goals of the group. Creating corrective experiences is a huge part of a group focused on perimenopause. Too often, clients going through perimenopause symptoms are dismissed and ignored in society. Recreating experiences of care and support are vital in this group.
How do I decide between group therapy and individual therapy?
There are many options for therapy! Usually, when a client is needing extra support or a larger support system, group therapy can be a good option. This question brings up a good point though: will I even get what I’m looking for from group therapy? I’ve heard some clients say that individual therapy can feel more effective because you have one person focused on you the entire time. If that is what you are looking for, then individual therapy is great! After all, society does not really allow for us to be a priority for an hour so individual therapy can offer a corrective experience for many. I argue that group therapy is just as effective if group therapy fits with what you need. Being a part of a group needing support around the same topic can create connection, a sense of “I’m not crazy or alone”, and good advice from people going through the same thing. Group therapy is often cheaper as well, which can be a huge factor for some clients.
If you are having trouble figuring out what kind of therapy would work best for you, schedule some free consultations with therapists near you. Interview them to figure out if they would work well with you. Ask them if they offer group therapy and if you could join a session to see how it felt to you. Most therapists have forms you can fill out on their websites that will send your message straight to their email in case calling does not feel comfortable. There are so many options for therapy and you deserve to find something that works for what you need now.
What makes group therapy different from other therapies?
When I think of differences between therapies, I think of what the setting looks like, who the therapist is, who is involved, and what are the goals/outcomes. Individual therapy will be in a setting that caters toward the individual - usually a smaller room, etc. Group therapy will take place usually in a bigger room where the group will meet in chairs in a circle.
Going to therapy with a social worker usually looks a bit different than seeing a marriage and family therapist. MFTs are trained in systemic thinking. They will be looking at how your different identities and your contextual factors (age, relationship status, birth order, ethnicity, SES, siblings, narratives from your family, etc.) play into your presenting problem. An MFT leading a group therapy session is going to draw from these factors as well as the factors of the group.
It goes without saying that group therapy will usually involve more people. While family therapy may involve many people, group therapy differs because everyone is usually new to each other and do not share the same family of origin stories. But, similar to family therapy, group therapy creates a system where group members can be placed in roles similar to what they experienced in their family of origin. This gives the group a chance to create corrective experiences and explore their identities and roles and how those identities play into perimenopause/their current situation.
Goals and outcomes differ between therapies as well. Couples therapy treats the couple as the client rather than an individual in the relationship and this greatly influences what the goals will be for treatment. Same with family therapy. Individual therapy will be the specific goals you set with your therapist that you will both work toward. In group therapies, the goals will be set based on what the group needs. For example, cancer support groups will focus on closeness and support while anger management groups may focus on changing mindsets and behaviors. For this perimenopause group, the goal will be focused on support and corrective experiences. Of course, there will be smaller goals the group may decide on such as gaining confidence and more. When clients leave this group, they will say they now have more guidance on how to navigate perimenopause in an empowered way and they know they are not alone.
What can I expect at this group therapy with Katherine Linscott, LMFT?
This is a great question. I have facilitated several therapy groups in the past and I have also been a part of one. Currently, I offer a therapy group focused on perimenopause. We discuss everything that can come with perimenopause: cutoff, disconnect, symptoms, “losing yourself”, new emotions, body changes, etc.
Group therapy will start with a “vetting” phase where we will make sure you are the right fit for the group. While specifics will be talked about in the group, once group has started, you can expect an “assessment” phase where each group member is getting to know each other. Goals and rules will be set. The topic will focus on perimenopause and the good and bad that has come in this phase of life. There may be some activities such as drama therapy or a collective art project (though I definitely focus heavily on talking together during therapy and not these activities). One rule we will set up in the group is transparency. I want to collaborate with each member of the group to meet needs and keep the group safe. I follow Irvin D. Yalom’s theory around group therapy and if anyone is interested to know more about Yalom or his discussions around group therapy, you can find some information by searching him online. His book “The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy” is probably the biggest book I ever had to read in my schooling but it offers good information and is the book I use to guide the groups.
What will I get out of group therapy?
If group therapy is what you need and you fit the criteria of the group, group therapy can offer a lot! I cannot promise what you will get out of group therapy but I can summarize what I have heard clients say and what I got out of group therapy. Many clients talk about the sense of belonging they received from group therapy. Some say they received great advice they would have never found anywhere else. Others appreciated the experiences they had in the group that “proved” they weren’t crazy and that they weren’t alone. It helped them be more gentle outside of group with others going through their own grief. I took a group therapy class nearly a decade ago in my undergrad. It was a three hour class where we spent half of it in a group therapy session and the other half learning techniques and talking about Yalom. For me personally, I got more out of this group than individual therapy at the time because of the needs I had then. It helped me break out of my shell. One huge corrective experience I had was two sessions before the class ended for the semester: I decided to talk for the first time. I shared my story and received so much support and closeness. That experience has stayed with me and has been a great reminder to me especially when I am in groups that aren’t supportive or close.
My greatest advice is to set up free consultations with therapists and find the best fit for you whether it be group, individual, familial, or couples therapy! To get started, schedule a free consultation for this group here.