Group Therapy- NEW!
Group therapy involves 6-8 participants working with several issues at different stages at the same time. This type of therapy is now available at my practice.
The group contains members ,preferably familiar with each other at some level.
Being part of a group of people who have the same experiences helps people see that what they are going through is universal and that they are not alone.
Group members can help each other by sharing information.
Group members can share their strengths and help others in the group, which can boost self-esteem and confidence.
The therapy group is much like a family in some ways. Within the group, each member can explore how childhood experiences contributed to personality and behaviors. They can also learn to avoid behaviors that are destructive or unhelpful in real life.
The group setting is a great place to practice new behaviors. The setting is safe and supportive, allowing group members to experiment without the fear of failure.
Individuals can model the behavior of other members of the group or observe and imitate the behavior of the therapist.
By interacting with other people and receiving feedback from the group and the therapist, members of the group can gain a greater understanding of themselves.
Because the group is united in a common goal, members gain a sense of belonging and acceptance.
Sharing feelings and experiences with a group of people can help relieve pain, guilt, or stress.
While working within a group offers support and guidance, group therapy helps member realize that they are responsible for their own lives, actions, and choices.
How Does Group Therapy Work?
Groups can be from 5-8 people. The group typically meets once each week for two hours.
The group will meet at my practice in Encino, be arranged in a circle so that each member can see every other person in the group.
The precise manner in which the session is conducted depends largely on the goals of the group and what they bring with them into the session.
My intentions are to teach a subject at the beginning of each session , discus it and then invite members to participate in the conversation.
How Effective Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy can be very effective, especially in certain situations. Studies have shown that group therapy can be an effective treatment choice for positive life changes.
Reasons to Use Group Therapy
The principal advantages of group therapy include:
- Group therapy allows people to receive the support and encouragement of the other members of the group. People participating in the group can see that others are going through the same thing, which can help them feel less alone.
- Group members can serve as role models to other members of the group. By observing someone successfully coping with a problem, other members of the group can see that there is hope for recovery. As each person progresses, they can, in turn, serve as a role model and support figure for others. This can help foster feelings of success and accomplishment.
- Group therapy is more affordable. Instead of focusing on just one client at a time, I can devote myself to a much larger group of people and by doing that charge you less per person to become more affordable to the individual.
- Group therapy offers a safe haven. The setting allows people to practice behaviors and actions within the safety and security of the group.
- By working in a group, I can see first-hand how each person responds to other people and behaves in social situations. Using this information, I can provide valuable feedback to each participant.
During my group sessions I do include group Hypnosis, guided imagery, NLP techniques and EFT demonstration.