In order to be effective, peer group therapy should be structured and facilitated by experienced addiction specialists. Groups are conducted by a therapist, counselor or psychiatrist who is credentialed in both adolescent development and addiction treatment. The facilitator’s job is not to confront the group members or to criticize their behavior.
Full Answer
What are the pros and cons of group therapy?
What the Pros Say
- Sense of Belonging. The feeling of loneliness is the reason why many are in need of therapy. ...
- Feedback inspires. Having to hear others speak on their success stories can infuse in the individual a positive attitude and change.
- Platform for Impact. ...
- Saves Money. ...
What are the goals of group therapy?
- Be yourself. ...
- Define goals. ...
- Recognize and respect your pace for getting involved in the group. ...
- Take time for yourself. ...
- Focus on what is most important to you. ...
- Recognize and express reactions and feelings. ...
- Be aware of censored thoughts and feelings. ...
- Give and receive feedback. ...
- Avoid giving advice. ...
- Take risks. ...
What is the working stage of group therapy?
- Understand The Process. While many therapists are good about explaining the termination process, some are not.
- Bring It Up Early.
- Pick A Final Session Date.
- Let It Out.
- Anger And Anxiety Are Normal.
- Ask Questions If You Have Them.
- Knowing If You're Not Ready.
- It's Done Face-To-Face.
What are the steps in group counselling?
- Understanding behaviors of both the persons or the persons involve in relationships
- Taking notes of those behaviours
- One on One Discussion
- Combined discussion
- Finding hidden agenda by looking into their words and body language.
What are the steps of group therapy?
5 Stages or Phases of the GroupStage 1. Forming; the orientation phase. The leader is most active in this stage. ... Stage 2. Storming; the transition phase. ... Stage 3. Norming; the cohesiveness phase. ... Stage 4. Working; the performing phase. ... Stage 5. Adjourning; the termination phase.
How do you organize a group therapy session?
Begin the counseling group by talking about less personal subjects, then build your way up to the more intense conversations (A. McCauley). A group counseling section should be divided up into three segments: activity, conversation, and conclusion. Each segment has a specific purpose.
What interventions are used in group therapy?
A variety of therapeutic factors have been described in group therapy processes. These include universality, altruism, cohesion, catharsis, imparting information, imitation and modelling, instilling hope, developing social skills, learning interpersonal skills and support[5,6].
How do you facilitate a treatment group?
Group therapy experts offer their advice:Get training. ... Compile the right group. ... Set expectations up front. ... Build cohesion quickly. ... Get feedback . ... Identify and address ruptures. ... Learn more about group therapy by visiting the website of APA's Div.
What are some topics for group therapy?
Some mental health group topics that can be covered in a group therapy setting include:Education about a specific mental health condition.Coping skills.Social skills.Acceptance.Setting boundaries.Developing self-worth and confidence.Overcoming fear.Dealing with anger issues.
What do you do in a first group therapy session?
Initial sessions should include a discussion of the goals of the group followed by a discussion of individual goals for each group member. Even young children can understand and participate in such discussions. They need to know that they will be focusing on identifying and discussing certain topics and themes.
How do you increase participation in group therapy?
As the group continues:Allow members to participate at their own pace. ... Use affirming, empathic statements, rather than probing questions. ... Highlight group process. ... Communicate, consistently, group members' responsibility to the group. ... Ask group members to evaluate their experience on a regular basis.
What are rounds in group therapy?
A round is an activity in which all group members are asked to participate by sharing a word, number, comment or phrase. The value of rounds is that everyone speaks, even if only to give a number for a rating (such as “Rate how the week was on a scale of 1 to 10”).
What makes a good group therapy facilitator?
Successful facilitators listen to understand the group; not just to the verbal communication, but also for the feelings and emotions and even for what is not being said with words. Effective listening gives the group the space to talk freely and explore without interruption or fear of judgment.
How do you run an effective support group?
Tips on Keeping a Support Group GoingKeep track of your group's progress. ... Share responsibility for the group. ... Be sure everyone has a chance to talk. ... Emphasize the importance of confidentiality. ... Encourage outside contact among members. ... Keep recruiting. ... Share rewards and failures. ... Keep a realistic perspective.More items...
What makes a good group therapist?
Empathy, personal warmth, courage, flexibility, inquiry, encouragement, and the ability to confront are vital skills too. Counseling group leaders must wear many hats in helping their groups make progress. The more skills within the coun- selors' repertoires the more effective they will ultimately be- come.
What are two truths and a lie?
Two Truths and A Lie. Another great adolescent group therapy activity is two truths and a lie. Therapists should ask their group members to write three “facts” down on a sheet of paper. Two of these “facts” should be true, the third one should be false, or a lie. Group members should take turns reading their three facts to one another while ...
How to process emotions when words are hard to verbalize?
Sometimes writing or journaling can be a great way to process experiences or emotions when words are hard to verbalize. Therapists might consider giving their group a writing prompt as homework throughout the week or even during the session. The prompt should mirror the purpose of the group and work toward helping them on their journey.
Why is it important to have a group therapy session for adolescents?
The issue is that this results in increased feelings of isolation and loneliness for individuals in that age bracket. It is important that therapists implement engaging experiences for the entire group. Doing this helps them feel connected ...
Why is it important for therapists to engage with their clients?
It is important that therapists implement engaging experiences for the entire group. Doing this helps them feel connected to one another. Different exercises encourage conversation, understanding, and bonding between members so that they know they are in this experience together. Below are some engaging activities for therapists practicing ...
How many categories should a therapist have?
Therapists should give each group member a piece of paper with 6 categories on them. The categories should be:
What is the human knot?
Human Knot. The “human knot” exercise is an activity that is meant to help a team learn how to work together to solve a problem. Regardless of the type of adolescent group therapy, this activity can help everyone loosen up and get in a good laugh. Group members should stand in a circle and connect arms with random members of the group.
Why do we use goal visualization?
Goal visualization is meant to help group members identify possible paths to where they want to be. For example, if a group member has the goal of graduating college, their goal visualization might include steps toward getting enrolled in a university or listing steps that would help them reach that goal. If you group is more hands-on or creative, a collage might be a great way to visualize their goals.
How is adolescent therapy different from children's therapy?
It is different from children’s groups in that the adolescents are more readily able to engage and understand the deeper issues in therapy, to sit through a full therapy session, and to challenge the therapist and each other.
What are the activities of group therapy?
The activities in group therapy that adolescents can be exposed to that they don’t have the opportunity to in individual therapy include the chances to learn cooperation and deal with issues such as cooperation, envy and aggression, while comparing how their thoughts and behaviors compare to those of their peers.
Why are adolescents reluctant to go to therapy?
Adolescents are often reluctant to attend group therapy, though, for a number of reasons. They often are suspicious of anything recommended by their parents or other adults. They are also often fearful that if they enter a therapy group it means that they are crazy.
Why is group therapy important for teens?
This makes the group therapy for teens an ideal choice when counseling becomes necessary for this age group .
How many stages does an adolescent group undergo?
It undergoes the group life cycle similar to that of an adult group, yet there are distinct differences. Dies (1996, pp. 35-51) defines the 5 stages an adolescent group undergoes.
What is group therapy for teens?
Group therapy for teens is an ideal choice, as social interaction is a key aspect of the developmental process , and as suggested by Bandura (1989) most social learning takes place by observing others and the results of their actions.
How many levels of group therapy are there?
There are 4 different levels of group therapy that may be utilized, as outlined by Maclennan and Dies (1992, p. 70).
How many people are in a group therapy session?
The number of participants in a group therapy session also depends on the type of group but can range from only three or four people to twelve or more (although more than twelve participants may not be as effective). Typically, group sessions are held once or twice a week for one or two hours per session.
What are the five rules of group therapy?
These five rules are: Maintain Confidentiality. It is essential that everything said in group therapy is kept private by all group members and leaders. Failing to adhere to this rule can undermine trust within the group and hinder members’ attempts to heal.
Why is group therapy important?
The American Psychological Association notes another important benefit of group therapy: diversity. We all have different experiences, backgrounds, and personalities, which leads us to our own unique perspective on the world.
How many different ideas of icebreakers are there?
This section includes over two dozen different ideas of icebreakers that are appropriate for both teens and adults in group therapy.
What is an open group?
1) Open groups: new participants are welcome to join the sessions at any time; for example, Alcoholics Anonymous is an open session that invites new members to join in any session.
How to help anxious group members get comfortable with one another?
Engaging group members in an activity that requires both busy hands and concentration is a great way to help anxious members get comfortable with one another and open up.
What is corrective recapitulation?
This wordy principle refers to the process of clients learning and exploring their childhood experiences, personalities, behaviors and feelings, and learning how to identify and avoid destructive or non-helpful behaviors.
What are adolescent group therapy activities?
The adolescent group therapy is a type of group therapy that is meant to work with a number of people in the same setting along with one or more psychotherapists that work towards a mutually established goal.
What is an example of group therapy?
The major topics covered in group therapy are usually depression, social anxiety , eating disorders, anger management and others.
What is group adolescent therapy?
Group adolescent therapy is a specific therapeutic modality that is used with adolescents to make them aware of their own identity. It facilitates the adolescents to define their life goals and purpose in life while dealing with the underlying conflicts.
What is the fear in a hat?
The fear in a hat activity is used in adolescent group therapy. It aims at addressing and surfacing the fears and worries of each member of the adolescent group activity. The fear in a hat activity enables the adolescents in a group to get to know the feelings of each other in an anonymous way and lighter manner.
What is human knot activity?
Human knot activity is used in adolescent group therapy. The activity does not require any materials for preparation. The length of the activity depends on the number of adolescents in the group therapy.
How to do human knot therapy?
The method for human knot group activity is simple. The adolescent members of the group therapy stand in a circle. The goal is to join hands with random members of the group. After all the members have joined hands with each other , the team then tries to untangle themselves.
What is group meditation?
Group meditation in adolescent group therapy is an activity based on meditation with a focus towards relaxation and stress reduction. Group meditation activity is specifically administered with the adolescents in a group therapy activity to help them ground their anxieties and let go of their stress.
How to build cohesion in a group?
“In grief groups, for example, you don’t have to work as hard to get people to feel connected once they start talking about why they’re there,” says Whittingham. However, groups without an easily identifiable common bond—those geared toward cognitive-behavior therapy, for example—might take a bit more work to help members feel connected. One strategy group leaders can use is to break the group into pairs and have them take time during the first session to get to know each other, Whittingham says. Icebreakers that encourage members to delve deeper or have fun together can also promote group bonding.
What is the OQ?
These include progress monitoring measures such as the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ), developed by Brigham Young University psychology professors Gary Burlingame, PhD, and Michael Lambert, PhD, as well as therapeutic relationship measures such as the Group Climate Questionnaire (GCQ-S) and the Group Questionnaire (GQ).
Where to find APA Div 49 training?
To find such training, visit the APA Div. 49 website ( www.apadivisions.org/division-49) as well as the webinars and continuing-education courses offered by the American Group Psychotherapy Association ( www.agpa.org ).
What is the best way to address discord?
Greenberg agrees, noting that giving clients the sense that they are an active part of the therapeutic process is one of the best ways to address discord.
Is group therapy an evidence based specialty?
Yet the ability to run therapy groups is a special skill. In fact, APA’s Commission for the Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology includes group psychology and group psychotherapy as an evidence-based specialty. “Group therapy isn’t just individual therapy in a group,” says Martyn Whittingham, PhD, ...
Is group therapy as effective as individual therapy?
Decades of research, including more than 50 clinical trials, have shown that group therapy is as effective as individual therapy for many conditions, including depression, obesity and social anxiety. Partly as a result of that research, demand for group therapy is up, and many new psychologists are being asked to lead groups in hospital ...
Can therapists predict how well a group member is doing in therapy?
Research shows that therapists cannot easily predict how well a group member is doing in therapy and whether he or she will drop out, Marmarosh says. In addition, the field of health care in general is moving toward outcome measurements as a way to track progress and improve outcomes.
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a specific form of counseling that is used to treat psychological disorders including substance abuse and addiction.
How does group therapy help with addiction?
Group therapy can help people in several ways: Being able to interact with other people who are learning how to cope with and overcome a drug or alcohol addiction can be quite helpful for those who are beginning the process.
What is psychoeducational group?
Psychoeducational groups focus on feelings and anger management, conflict resolution, prevention, trauma (e.g., abuse or violence), health and wellness, culture, and family roles.
Why are clients not actively considering changing their substance abuse behavior?
Pre-contemplation: Clients are not actively considering changing their substance abuse behavior because they do not believe they have a serious problem. Other factors (e.g., family, counselors) led them to attend group therapy.
What is the focus of a skills development group?
Skills development groups focus on the same factors as the cognitive behavioral group, as well as relaxation training, meditation, and life skills training. Support groups focus on relapse prevention, trauma, spirituality, culture, ceremonial healing practices, and gender-specific topics.
How often should a therapy group be held?
Generally held once or twice weekly for 1–2 hours. Appears to be more effective in an inpatient setting. Type of group is determined by the therapist and can include support groups, skills development, and psychoeducational.
How does sharing experiences and feelings help in group therapy?
3 Overall, sharing experiences and feelings has been shown to reduce stress, guilt, and pain among group therapy members. 4
Group Development
- Group Appropriateness
The group is a natural setting for adolescents. They are taught in groups, live in groups, and often play in groups. Group therapyfor teens is an ideal choice, as social interaction is a key aspect of the developmental process, and as suggested by Bandura (1989) most social learning takes pla… - Adolescent Participation
Adolescents are often reluctant to attend group therapy, though, for a number of reasons. They often are suspicious of anything recommended by their parents or other adults. They are also often fearful that if they enter a therapy group it means that they are crazy. Some fear that the th…
Group Process Theories
- Dies’ Group Process Theory
There are 4 different levels of group therapy that may be utilized, as outlined by Maclennan and Dies (1992, p. 70). These different levels may be applied to, or adapted for, any population of adolescents from those who are healthy, those that are at risk for a social problem or mental illn… - Gartner’s Group Process Theory
Another group theory with adolescents parallels their separation-individuation process. This was proposed by Gartner (as cited in Gunther & Crandles, 1998), who defines the group as a system that moves in levels of differentiation from undifferentiated to differentiated. It begins with no in…
Group Dynamics
- Adolescent Group Behavior
The behaviors that occur in adolescent group therapy fall into the same general categories as those in adult therapy, but there are significant areas that are different (Maclennan & Dies, 1992). The first of these is in the area of facing difficulties that arise within the group. Adolescents are … - Group Life Cycle
The adolescent group has its own special place in therapy. It is not quite a children’s group, and not quite an adult group. It is different from children’s groups in that the adolescents are more readily able to engage and understand the deeper issues in therapy, to sit through a full therapy …
Group Examples
- There have been a number of studies of different group types ranging from anger management to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to support groups for medical problems. These groups have employed a variety of different techniques and met with a great deal of success.
Summary
- As noted before, adolescents are going through developmental stages that adults have already completed. They are not “little adults” when it comes to psychotherapy, and their groups must reflect this. They have their own differing life cycles for their groups versus those of adults, and this must be respected when working with the population. The diversity of the disorders for whic…
References
- Bandura, A. (1989). Social cognitive theory. In V. R. Greenwich (Ed.), Annals of child development (pp.1-60). Greenwich, CT: Jai Press. Clarke, G. N., Rohde, P., Lewinsohn, P. M., Hops, H., & Seeley, J. R. (1999). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of adolescent depression: Efficacy of acute group treatment and booster sessions. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psy…