Group Therapy: Let’s Come Together!

     I grew a lot as a therapist the two years I worked in residential addiction treatment. Every day, I facilitated group therapy. I witnessed the emotional and physical maelstrom of withdrawal. I learned to stay grounded in the storm of conflict and I learned to love being in the room with all that was present; the said and the unsaid. Every time I facilitate a group, I re-remember the power and relief I feel when someone shares a feeling/experience I, too, have experienced! When we come together we remember we are not alone!

     During COVID and early lockdown, one way I found community was studying at Ackerman Institute for the Family and engaging with other training opportunities. Being in community with my peers was a saving grace. I believe this community and support also extended to those who sought therapy with me during that particularly difficult and isolating time. 

     I sought training in group facilitation and found Carrie Haynes, LPC and Dr. Kylin Lee. They offered an experiential group for therapists which included education on the stages of group process and the responsibilities/skills of the group facilitator. Interpersonal Process (IP) groups are my favorite because the focus is on the here and now; what is going between and amongst us as we courageously gather.

     In an IP group, we have a unique opportunity to deepen our level of self-awareness by observing and reflecting on our interactions with others in real time. We also learn to relate to others more effectively, develop better communication skills, and practice setting boundaries in a safe environment. Group is like a social laboratory. We create a space where we can try out and practice new behaviors and communication styles. The group dynamic mirrors real-life social situations, helping us prepare for and build on our interactions outside of the group.

     The multiplicity of perspectives and experience in an IP group helps us learn about our own “lenses” or “filters” that may distort our perceptions of ourselves and others. We help each other recognize what we “give off” in our connection style and how it affects others. This offers us the opportunity to make more informed and different choices in our interactions. Group is unique in that we receive feedback, encouragement, and support from multiple individuals offering diverse viewpoints on our struggles and concerns.