For many people we work with, group therapy is associated with support groups like AA and Al-Anon. These are great programs, but group therapy can be used in many different situations. At Great South Bay Therapy, we offer a variety of group therapy options to help people develop skills, provide the opportunity to discuss difficult situations with peers, and offer a community where people can come together to share and grow.
Why Should I Consider Group Therapy?
Just like individual therapy, group sessions aren’t the right option for every person. Our clinicians adjust therapy approaches to directly address your needs during individual sessions, so finding the right group is essential. Some of the reasons you may want to consider group therapy include:
- Reassurance – during group sessions, you’ll hear from people who are having similar experiences. This can be very affirming and reassuring.
- 2-Way Therapeutic Alliance – if you’ve ever participated in one-on-one therapy sessions, you know the benefit of the therapeutic alliance. Your therapist, as your ally, offers you support, someone to hear you out, and shares knowledge and skills with you. In group, you get to both give and receive support. This 2-way therapeutic alliance can be healing and empowering for many.
- Multiple Perspectives – even if the different members of the group aren’t all there to address your specific concerns, you’ll be surprised how often listening to the experiences and perspectives of others can shed light on your situation.
- Learning & Practicing Skills – in individual therapy, you may talk about increasing self-awareness, developing empathy, and improving communication. In group therapy, you get to practice these skills by having real time interactions with other people.
- Your Shyness Safety Net – for people who struggle to open up during individual therapy, group sessions can offer the opportunity to listen and observe while removing some of the pressure to share that is felt during individual sessions. In some cases, this may make talking easier even for those who are very shy.
What Happens During Group Therapy?
Each group will work a little differently, depending on the aim of the group. In some cases, the therapist leading the sessions will teach skills that will be practiced. Some groups are about sharing experiences. Below, we’ve described some of the different groups that we currently offer:
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Teens
Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present in the current moment in order to engage with your emotions in healthy, meaningful, and appropriate ways. For teens who are dealing with high levels of stress, worry about all the “what ifs” can mean they miss out on the “what’s.” As in, “What’s happening right here and now.” Our mindfulness based stress reduction group for teens helps young people learn to manage stress and experience more fulfilling lives.
Social Skills Support Groups for Students
It seems like some young people easily pickup on social ques and navigate even the most complex interactions with ease, but interacting with other people can be fraught. It’s a necessary and very rewarding part of human life, but social interaction can be hard for some people. Our social skills support groups for students can help young people learn to understand social expectations, respond appropriately in challenging situations, improve communication, and generally, improve their interactions within the classroom setting and beyond.
Ready to Get Started?
We would love to hear from you. If you are ready to schedule or just have more questions, the therapists at Great South Bay Therapy can be reached phone, text, and email. We have offices in Sayville, Bayport, and West Islip, and we’re offering online sessions to New York Residents. We’re here when you’re ready.