Group Members
Dr. Hartley
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IS GROUP THERAPY FOR ME ?
People
are reared in groups (family, neighborhood and school) and learn ways
of behaving in groups from an early age. At times, old patterns of
feeling and behavior may cause difficulties in adulthood because they
no longer serve the purpose they once did. A group can provide
opportunities to learn with and from others, to understand
your
own style of thought and behavior, and to see how others react to
you. Groups are organized for different purposes and it is
important to select the type of group suitable for you.
A
SUPPORT GROUP for
example, focuses on a particular common
concern of its members. The facilitator has training in dealing with
the common group problem or
shared symptom.
Group
Psychotherapy is a therapeutic modality for those with a wide variety
of emotional concerns and in
particular, relationships with others. The therapist selects
the participants based
on their therapeutic readiness, ability to be an adjunct therapist to
others, and goodness of fit. People are frequently able to
see
self-limiting behavior patterns in others that they are unable to see
in themselves. The group offers an opportunity to see yourself as
others do. The interruption of a negative pattern in an emotionally
safe environment presents an opportunity for new
behavior
and change. The therapist and group help each member to express
emotions and to experiment with new ways of relating to others. This
new learning is more easily transferred to the outside world
since it
has had a "trial run" in the group. Because extra-group socializing
tends to detract from the group's "equal access" it is
frequently
discouraged. Members do not discuss with outsiders what
occurs in
the group and the identity of participants is protected.
The therapist assumes clinical responsibility for the group's members. Therefore, a group psychotherapist is a member of a recognized mental health discipline. All licensed therapists are guided by the ethical principles of their primary fields. They have had theoretical and supervisory training in group dynamics and most are members of various state and national group therapy associations. A therapist should be willing to discuss his or her qualifications, experience and therapeutic approach. By all means, ask questions. Fees
for group psychotherapy vary, but tend to be considerably lower than
for individual therapy. Although health insurance may partially cover
the cost, it is important to examine your individual policy for the
specifics. Some therapists collect the fee after each session, some
bill by the month, and some want prepayment. It is presumed that a
member buys a "slot" in the group which remains open if he/she does not
attend a particular session.
Time limited groups have fairly circumscribed goals, are used for special problems, transitions, and crises. In some time limited groups, all members begin and end at the same time, an in others, members leave after a fixed number of sessions. In open-ended group therapy, members work at their own pace and leave the group when the individual goals they had when entering therapy are met. In most groups, regular and timely attendance is required. Group members are selected after an individual interview. No group of mine has more than 7 members. Some group members are in individual psychotherapy with me, some are in psychotherapy another therapist and some are only in group with no other concurrent therapy. As with any psychotherapy, this form of treatment is subject to the same privileges as other therapies in terms of insurance coverage. If you are a candidate for group therapy and there is not an available "slot" in one of my groups, I will help you locate another suitable group at no charge. For more specific information, please phone me at (312) 616-0006.
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