4 Benefits of Group Therapy

group therapy

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. Group Therapy Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy involving one or more mental health professionals working with several people at the same time. In group therapy settings, clients often reinforce and develop support networks, learn and practice coping skills, and build interpersonal skills. Group therapy is often used to treat mental health disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders (social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, etc.), substance use disorders, and mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder, etc.). Group therapy is also appropriate for people navigating similar challenges such as motherhood, grief due to a loss, bullying in adolescence, and many other lived experiences. Benefits of Group Therapy Group therapy has many benefits, some of which are outlined below: More Affordable Group therapy can be a more affordable and accessible alternative to traditional, individual talk therapy. Group therapy is often less expensive than individual therapy, even …

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About the 4 Attachment Styles

group therapy

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. Attachment As human beings, we are highly social creatures who depend on connection with others to survive. Attachment theory posits that our earlier connections with caregivers shape and influence how we move through the world and romantic relationships. The development of one’s attachment style is understood to be influenced by the following factors: Inconsistency/unpredictability or consistency/predictability in your early environment Temperament Relational trauma Your primary caregiver’s capacity to attune to your needs when you were a baby/child John Bowlby, founder of attachment theory, conducted extensive research on attachment. Psychological researchers continued to expand on his theory, including Mary Ainsworth; Ainsworth created the “Strange Situation” study in the 1970s where toddlers between the ages of 12 to 18 months reacted to a situation in which they were briefly left alone and then reunited with their mother.  Based on the childrens’ responses, Ainsworth concluded that there were three …

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What is DBT Group Therapy?

What is DBT group therapy?

Have you ever felt like you are too tired to go to work, yet you go and push through? Have you ever been happy for someone else and sad for yourself? Do you know how it feels to want to stop misusing alcohol or drugs and simultaneously want to feel intoxicated? Do you accept and love your body the way it is and want to lose weight? These statements are examples of dialectical thinking. But what is DBT, or dialectical behavioral therapy? And what is DBT Group Therapy? You can probably develop a long list of personal examples consisting of love and hate or want and don’t want scenarios. One researcher discovered that accepting yourself while seeking change benefits people with certain mental health disorders. Who Created DBT Therapy? In the 1980s, Dr. Marsha Linehan worked with clients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). She found it was …

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10 Group Therapy Activities for Adults

Participants completing group therapy activities

Group therapy activities are designed for a small group of people with similar issues. A licensed mental health therapist leads the group with special training in the issues shared by participants. For example, an alcohol use disorder group may be led by a certified drug and alcohol counselor. Therapists use various methods to help group members learn new skills while also learning more about themselves and others. Group therapy is a safe place where participants can share personal information without being judged or worried about confidentiality. It also helps everyone know they are not alone and that many others can relate to their circumstances. Types of Group Therapy Because everyone has different learning styles, it’s essential to have options for finding the right type of group therapy to attend. The four most common types of group therapy include: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is talk therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns to positive …

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