Group Therapy
Are you frustrated with your past experiences involving group therapy?
Tired of not getting the most out of group counseling for substance abuse?
Wish you were involved with a group of people who are as serious about their recovery and therapy as you are?
Feel like other groups are way too big to be beneficial?
Think 9 program hours devoted to substance abuse intensive outpatient every week is way too much?
Not sure why professional mentors keep recommending group therapy?
You’ve tried groups but were disappointed by their inconsistency and are wary to commit again?
I’ve heard these complaints throughout my career. For many disappointed clients in search of outpatient support, their prior experience has been negative. So much so, that many addiction counselors feel similarly but say “any treatment is better than no treatment”. However, this attitude doesn’t help someone seeking the benefit of a group experience so that they can stay sober. (STAT about drop out in IOP) It’s unfortunate that outpatient facilities don’t hire better skilled clinicians or train their professionals to become better group educators, facilitators, and group processors.
The good news is that I provide a warm, small group setting that has my years of experience as a substance abuse counselor as its foundation. Now you can benefit from participating in a group dynamic that is caring, powerful and recovery based.
Group Therapy can be the most powerful and beneficial experience for your recovery!
If you can’t tell, group work is a passion that is an important part of my life’s purpose. It’s an effective tool that other forms of therapy can’t offer. When you’re in a session with a therapist great healing can happen. But it’s you and a therapist in an isolated environment. If you decide to go to a 12-step support group, you listen to others’ experience, strength, and hope. This is helpful, but there’s no cross talk. You can’t process what you’re thinking with others during those hours and expect to get feedback. In a group setting you get the best elements of both! Group therapy provides a sense of connection, understanding and awareness of oneself and others that can’t be contrived or made up. It fosters healing and recovery when the facilitator can help create this culture and environment.
I’ve led many different forms of group therapy for substance abuse throughout my career and the relapse prevention group is so rewarding that I still have members opt to attend the group even when they have multiple years of continuous sobriety. When you attend a weekly 90-minute group, it allows space for both the informative and supportive dynamic to take root. You, as the client, will gain insight and education and will also be able to give and receive help and guidance from other group members. Because the group occurs once a week and not two or three days consecutively, it never has a feel of monotony or repetitiveness. You have time to experience life in between sessions – joy, along with pain and heartache occurs and the group time can then be tailored to your current needs, as well as the needs of the group. It can be life transforming. I’ve facilitated one of my Relapse Prevention Groups for over six years and original members still attend and still maintain their sobriety.
“I don’t think I’ll fit in with the other clients in the group”
People who struggle with substance issues can be the social isolating type. We feel insecure, lack close relationships and often have trouble relating to others. And THAT is the benefit of a good group. Even you can and will feel like you fit. Your addiction feeds off of demeaning your sense of self and weights you down from a continuous spiral of fear, isolation and resentment. You are in bondage to your addiction. The group(s) we offer can help to set you free.
“I’ve never had a good experience in a group setting before”
That’s where I come in as the group leader. I can relate. As a person now celebrating fifteen years of sobriety, I too have struggled with my relationships – including with my own family. It wasn’t until I had my own group experience that I felt a sense of belonging and acceptance. I will help facilitate your needs as an individual, along with those of the group. The primary focus is always on recovery and relapse prevention, and the paths to healing are always individual. When a client relapses, what often happens is that familiar feeling of shame and fear. The group experience can help prevent that downward spiral from happening when the client has the courage to talk about their relapse, and then experiences empathy, support and understanding from members of their group. Many clients say that the group experience is what began to change their lifelong pattern of self-destructive behavior. It is unlike any other form of therapy.
A Weekly Group Therapy Session can be indispensable in keeping your recovery on track
Certainly, a one on one session with your therapist and 12-step support groups such as AA are immensely beneficial. But the beauty of the groups that I lead have added advantages. My professionally guided meetings allow for give and take discussions that provide opportunities to share your personal struggles and receive feedback from both the group and a trained therapist. It’s the best of both worlds! Effective therapy conducted with a group setting promotes a supportive community while generating self-understanding and compassion for others. I strive to offer a safe environment where you can feel comfortable exploring the challenges of continuing sobriety. Some of my clients have found my 90-minute, relapse prevention groups so rewarding and instrumental in their lives that they have attended a weekly session for multiple years. Others have relied on group therapy for temporary periods of time. The option is yours. However long you attend, if you commit to fully participate, you will gain insight and grow in wisdom as you face the challenges of a life in recovery. Come and learn strategies to persist and thrive, despite the occasional pain and heartache we all experience.
Past experience doesn’t have be the new experience
The power of a good group setting in one of my weekly relapse prevention groups might be the difference between success or failure in your recovery. Many of my current and alumni clients say, “This group helps keep me sober”. Clients are amazed at how quickly the time flies by, “This is the fastest 90 minutes of my week”. Our weekly group will not be a burden, it will be a highlight of your weekly routine. As a clinician, I believe that relapse prevention in the form of group therapy is as essential as individual therapy sessions and/or a 12 -step meeting.
I’d be glad to provide a free 15-30-minute phone consultation to answer your questions about me and the group prior to joining. I look forward to welcoming you to the next group!
