During an intake appointment, a therapist will make an assessment of the type and nature of the problems you are dealing with and the most effective means of treatment. Often, in situations involving relationship difficulties, interpersonal conflicts, family conflict, poor social skills, or loss or isolation, the therapist might recommend group treatment as the treatment of choice. Sometimes, after an initial number of individual sessions a person is referred to group for continued longer term treatment where peer feedback and support might be useful. In this clinic, there is no limit to the number of group sessions a person may have.
Group represents the most effective treatment in many situations.
Group therapy is a form of treatment in which a skilled group therapist or therapists meet with a small group of people, usually from about 6-10 and the group discusses themes or issues pertinent to individual members and the group as a whole. Group members are required to maintain confidentiality and are encouraged to participate in providing constructive feedback, both positive and negative to other group members. Some groups offered are focused on specific topics and other groups are more general and open to multiple issues. All members are asked to call and inform the therapist if they are going to be unable to attend as absences raise the concern of other group members. A substantial amount of research has been done on group therapy and a number of curative factors have been identified but only a few will be mentioned here.