 | Joyce A. Thompson is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT). She owns Emotional Journey, LLC, which is a group, private practice made up of both male and females and which is located in Wichita, Kansas. We offer a full range of services including ‘talk’ therapy, sand tray therapy and therapeutic massage which all address the mind/body connection. We specialize in working with individuals (from tot to elderly), couples, families, and groups on a wide variety of issues. We also speak to groups or organizations on a variety of topics and offer chair massage at your business or group event. Emotional Journey, LLC is a member of many organizations, including The Wichita Chamber of Commerce, The Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Wichita Independent Business Association, and The Better Business Bureau. You may learn more by going to our web site: www.emotionaljourney.org, by telephone at (316) 295-4758, or through email: therapists@emotionaljourney.org. |
Health & Wellness
2008-04-01 12:10:00
Group therapy to help the abused
Question: In one of your recent columns, you spoke of group therapy as being one way of healing from childhood abuse. Could you please tell me more about what goes on in group therapy and how it might be helpful?
Answer: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain in more detail about group therapy and its many benefits. It has been a widely used, standard, and effective treatment option for over 50 years. It brings a small number of people with similar problems or experiences together with a trained therapist, so that they can help themselves and one another in dealing with their experiences. A therapy group is usually made up of 6 to 12 members who meet from one to three hours per session, once a week.
In order to gain the maximum benefit, participants are asked to attend at least the first four meetings, to attend regularly, to arrive on time, and to remain for the full length of each session. The first few sessions usually focus on the establishment of trust. For this to occur, it is critical that the group leader and all group members adhere to a strict code of confidentiality. This means that whatever is said in the group must stay in the group. Group participants are asked not to disclose to anyone outside of the group either the identity of other group members or what is discussed by other group members. Since those who were abused as children have a tendency towards mistrust of others, confidentiality is critical so that group members can feel safe enough to share, both openly and honestly.
Group therapy will allow you to meet with a therapist and other group members as you focus upon your healing. An educational component allows for an increased level of knowledge and understanding about abuse and the lasting emotional ‘scars’ resulting from that abuse. Personal growth and development will occur naturally as you regularly attend group meetings, share with others, and receive input and support from other group members who truly understand and do not sit in judgment as you share your childhood experiences. Although sharing is important, you control what, how much, and when you share with the group. Feelings of being alone are common for those who have endured childhood abuse. Many people wonder what they did to deserve the abuse, or worse yet, they think they caused the abuse to happen. During group therapy, these individuals begin to realize that they are not alone, that they were not ‘bad’ as children, and that the abuse was not their fault. As the level of trust begins to develop within the group, people feel free to care about and to help each other as they each work through their pain.
Most people are anxious about talking in group; however this anxiety tends to lessen within a few sessions. Even if you are unable to share during the first few sessions, you can still benefit from the group by listening to others. You will find that you have much in common as other group members work through their own issues. Group members tend to remember what it is like to be new to the group, so they usually offer lots of support to those just beginning to talk during group.
As trust and acceptance begins to grow within the group, members generally experience feedback and even confrontation at times. Although this can be difficult to hear, once trust is developed, group members tend to experience this as something positive; as if it were coming from their best friend. Over time, a sense of tremendous understanding, support, and encouragement can be derived from the group, allowing you to gain new and different perspectives. Although the thought of receiving feedback from strangers can feel scary, the group leader will be there to ensure a safe environment is provided for such sharing. When feedback is given in a respectful and gentle way, one can actually ‘hear’ and make use of these different perspectives.
