Posted by Daisym on August 30, 2006, at 1:13:08
In reply to group therapy?, posted by sunnydays on August 29, 2006, at 18:25:43
I had exactly the same reaction to going to group-- I thought it was a way for me to become less dependent on my therapist, though I didn't tell him that at first, and when he agreed group might be helpful, I decided he was sick of me. It was very hard for me to start the group -- the first night I barely stayed present and I thought I'd throw up.
The jury is still out for me about whether group has been helpful or not. I think Zen's post is absolutely right, the group members need to sort of be in the same place in their journey. Otherwise you have people who have never told their story to anyone but their therapist,(like me)and you have people who have done years of groups. And some people know the therapy/survivor language and some don't yet. So when someone says "molest" they might mean all kinds of things. It has been a challenge for me to hear things in a "casual" way and it probably has been good for me to tell women, since my mom stuff is pretty huge. I have to consciously not lead the group, or interpret for other people. And I worry about some of the group members who don't have ongoing therapy, but I also know it isn't my job to worry about them.
I'm not sure I'll stay with group much longer, just because the dynamics of it are changing and I'll be a good 15 years older than everyone else. That and the fact that I'm in a professional position makes my life experiences very different from everyone else. Which can be goood, but I feel like the group grandma!!
All that said, group has stimulated some great discussions (and HUGE melt downs) in my individual therapy. So it is definately a mixed bag. I think you have to know what you are hoping to get out of it -- why does any part of you want to go? Good luck and let us know what you choose.
poster:Daisym
thread:681263
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060826/msgs/681396.html