Joining group counseling can seem overwhelming, whether the anxiousness comes from a fear of sharing or speaking in public, how a group may perceive you, or worrying about saying something people may consider foolish. While this may be the case, it offers many benefits to overcome these fears while teaching people skills to help manage stress, anxiety, mental health, and addiction issues. Here are five of the main benefits of group counseling.
Group Counseling Basics
Where individual therapy is a one-on-one session between a person and a health care professional, group counseling is between several people and a health care professional. Each form of counseling offers specific benefits, but one is not better than the other. Usually ranging between three and 12 people, group sessions provide a supportive environment where individuals suffering from the same issues can come together and improve their lives. At Fifth Street Counseling Center, we offer group programs in:
- Anger Management
- Anti-Theft
- Adolescent Programs
- Domestic Violence
- DUI Programs
- Impulse Control
- Parenting
- Substance Abuse
- Sexual Offender
- Treatment Alternative To Street Crime
- Victim Of Domestic Violence
Benefits Of Group Counseling
As with one-on-one counseling services, no two people receive the same benefits from group counseling. It is crucial to focus on your goals and the areas you want to address to gain the most of your sessions and determine what counseling is right for you. Some of the unique group benefits include:
Sense Of Belonging
One of the main benefits clients receive from group counseling is the realization that they are not alone in their fight. Often, individuals feel isolated due to their issues which can lead to depression or even returning to damaging coping mechanisms. Group interaction leads to an inclusive support system that can bolster self-esteem. People become part of a team when they establish a shared connection.
Promote Social Skills
Many do not realize their issues become worse when they cannot successfully communicate their feelings and thoughts. While people often feel anxious sharing their concerns in front of strangers, or anyone for that matter, learning the correct social skills allows people to not only fight those feelings but take the skills into everyday life. From learning how to communicate frustrations in a healthy way to taking responsibility for actions, group counseling teaches useful social skills.
More Motivation
Another significant benefit people experience is a heightened sense of motivation. Often this stems from an individual’s desire to report back positive steps and outcomes back to the group. When people put themselves into a positive environment, they feel more inclined to reflect that behavior in their own lives. Motivation is an incredibly powerful force within group counseling.
Heightened Perspective
Group counseling often works as a sounding board for members, meaning there is an open exchange of information and feedback that allows them to see issues and events in a different light. As all group members come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, this new perspective results in being able to process the problems in a more realistic light as group members will not just say what others want to hear.
Find Your Voice
Going through issues that could benefit from group therapy often results in a disconnection between an individual, their family, and society as a whole. When this occurs, it is hard to communicate thoughts and feelings effectively. This is also called a “loss of voice.” In a group counseling setting, individuals are encouraged to not only express themselves but also take note of their feelings while interacting with others.
About Fifth Street Counseling Center
There is no doubt that making the choice to attend group counseling takes a considerable amount of strength, but our experts are at Fifth Street Counseling Center are here to help every step of the way – from finding the right group or groups to helping find affordable treatment through insurance or payment options. If you are ready to take the first step at reaping these benefits, give us a call today at 954-797-5222!