FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Why would I undertake individual
therapy?
2.
Why would I undertake a group?
3. How many sessions will it take?
4. What is the best environment for
change to occur?
5. How do I
choose the right counsellor?
1. Why would I undertake individual
therapy?
The
potential benefits of individual therapy
Counselling
cannot change the past, but it does provide change in the way you
interact with your present and future. Therapy can result in new
insights, self-concept, behaviours, skills, relationship dynamics,
assertiveness and enjoyment, to name a few. These are the comments
received on a regular basis:
-
Increased balance
(sleep, exercise, eating habits)
-
Increased connection to self and others
-
Increased
adaptive responses instead of survival coping
-
Increased levels
of calmness and confidence, lowered levels of anxiety
-
Increased range
of emotion, including acceptance of painful emotions and enjoyment of
elevated emotions
-
Increased ability
to deal with stressors
-
Improved
self-confidence, productivity, efficiency
-
Clearer
interpersonal boundaries and assertive communication skills
-
Resolution and
integration of past trauma (letting go and moving on)
-
Improvements in
intimate relationships and expression of sexuality.
2.
Why would I undertake a group?
There are two
kinds of groups, each with different benefits. Generally,
Psycho-educational groups are intended to impart knowledge and allow for
the practice of new skills. Therapy groups, on the other hand,
allow for emotional processing, and for a discussion of the dynamics
manifesting in the group on an ongoing basis. This allows for new
insights about the self, and one’s patterns of relating to self and
others.
The
potential benefits of group THERAPY
Group therapy provides important and unique therapeutic benefits,
especially to those currently undertaking individual counselling.
Interpersonal group psychotherapy augments the work of individual
therapy, where the sense of self is strengthened and dysfunctional
relationship patterns are identified. Within the group setting,
one has an opportunity to take the insight, self awareness, and newly
strengthened sense of self gained from individual therapy out into the
world of peer relationships.
Group therapy is a microcosm of one's own interpersonal world. Patterns
enacted in one’s life will be re-enacted in the group, where they can be
witnessed and responded to in a respectful and caring manner.
Through group participation, one comes to understand how these
interpersonal difficulties create barriers to closeness with others. The
great advantage of group psychotherapy is working on these patterns in
the "here and now" - in a group situation more similar to reality and
close to the interpersonal events.
Group therapy is an interpersonal learning environment, Effective
communication styles and healthy behaviour are modeled by peers and
facilitators. As these more effective patterns are learned, a group
member receives increasingly positive feedback from others in the group
and this feedback increases self-esteem.
Group therapy can provide a "corrective emotional experience." This
occurs as members of the group become part of a safe, caring community
and to experience healthy respectful dynamics and positive and healing
relationships.
Groups strive
for an environment of respect and support, so that the expression of
feelings and thoughts becomes less anxiety-provoking, and members feel
at ease to fully speak their minds.
The benefits
of PSYCH-EDUCATIONAL Groups
Psycho-educational groups are ideally suited to people who are
struggling with issues like intimacy, trust, self-esteem, anxiety and
who want to learn new coping methods and skills to manage these
problems. Sessions generally focus on presenting new information
and providing an opportunity to practice skills, and discuss concepts.
Interaction between group members is much less than in therapy groups,
and the facilitators play a more active role.
Benefits are:
-
Realizing that
you are not alone with your issue/problem…many others are facing
obstacles as well (this has a normalizing effect, which reduces sense of
craziness and/or isolation from peers)
-
Learning
opportunities from facilitators and from participants
-
Skill
development, resources, educational materials
-
Watching others
make changes, and feeling motivated and optimistic about being able to
alter areas in one’s own life.
3. How many sessions will it take?
The length of
treatment will depend on the nature of the referring problem and the
complexity of the goals. The therapeutic contract and treatment plan is
established within the first couple of sessions. Counselling sessions
will primarily focus on these targeted issues. Treatment is complete
when the goals of the contract are met. New issues may emerge, in which
case, clients may choose to re-contract regarding new goals. Counselling
is always available on a follow-up basis, as human change and
actualization processes are ongoing.
4. What is the best environment for change to
occur?
Human
Change Process
Change is an
act of courage, motivated by the desire for a better life. It
takes personal risk, an open mind, self inquiry, and the discipline to
practice new responses.. Change involves learning to think, feel, and
behave differently. This work is best done in a supportive,
non-judgmental environment where feedback is constructive, and there are
ample opportunities to explore and role-play new behaviours with the
guidance, and encouragement of a skilled therapist. Change is a
close cousin of choice and begins to feel good rather than scary when
clients understand that whatever they learned in the past can be
unlearned and relearned in a way that empowers them. With access
to a wider range of options to choose from, clients become active agents
in responding to their world rather than reacting. Support,
validation, insight, and problem solving help clients move through the
roadblocks and towards solutions.
