Group Program Frequently Asked Questions ~ General Information ~ ~ Groups for Summer 2005 ~ What can I gain from participating in a group? In group therapy, you have the opportunity to get immediate feedback from other group members and the leaders. By finding out how others perceive you, you increase your self-awareness and can focus energy into aspects of your life you wish to change. Group therapy also gives you the opportunity to try out new behaviors, to express feelings you are hesitant to express, to assert yourself in new ways, and to experiment with new ideas. Over time, as you experience trust and security in the group, you may feel freer to take risks, which can lead to a more fulfilling life. Group therapy allows you to learn from other group members. You will not only benefit from recognizing your emotional and thought responses, but also through identifying with the feelings of others. In doing so you increase your own self-awareness. Group members help one another to express stifled emotions, to understand puzzling behaviors, and to experiment with new behaviors. Learning about yourself in these ways usually has a positive effect on your relationships and can improve your quality of life. With the assistance of group leaders and your fellow group members, you will have the task of determining how you take advantage of the opportunities group therapy offers. You determine the amount of energy—mental and emotional—you wish to invest in the group process. Needless to say, the more you invest, the more you benefit. I’m not sure I could share my concerns with others in a group. If this is your first experience in a therapy group, along with some excitement and anticipation, you probably have some apprehension—most people do. It is common to feel uneasy or even anxious when thinking about joining a group. For many people it is difficult to share personal thoughts and concerns with others, particularly when you begin as “strangers.” Once the group progresses, however, you will likely develop feelings of interest and trust. Nonetheless, you are the one who decides when and how much to share with the group. Over time, you will likely feel more comfortable sharing information and feelings with the group. Remember, everyone else in the group is probably starting out feeling a bit apprehensive as well! What is the role of the group leader(s)? Usually groups have either one or two leaders whose function is to use their knowledge and experience to facilitate, promote, and monitor individual and group growth and change. Initially, leaders will focus their energy on helping to promote an atmosphere of support, trust, and safety so that group members will feel a sense of security in self-disclosure. They will assist individuals to become involved in the process. As the group proceeds, leaders serve to help individuals identify themes which block personal growth as well as assist them in dealing with those blocks. Another important function of group leaders is to help the group understand the group dynamics and communication patterns, underlying feelings, and meanings behind behaviors and issues being dealt with or avoided. The activity level of leaders may vary depending on what is happening in the group. When the members are relating freely with each other and the energy level and involvement is high, group leaders tend to be less active. You are encouraged to request assistance from your group leaders whenever you want, and to communicate your reactions and thoughts to them concerning their role and activities. How do I get the most out of a therapy group? 1. Be yourself. Start from where you are, not how you think others want you to be. This might mean that you express anger or hostility, appear shy or withdrawn, or say things to others harshly. The working through process starts with whatever you feel free to disclose. 2. Define goals. Think about what you would like to get out of the group, not only from the overall experience, but also from each individual session. Being flexible about your goals is important. You may find that your goals change throughout the group process. As self-awareness increases and you listen to others, you may discover issues that might be more important than your original ones. 3. Recognize and respect your pace for getting involved in the group. Some members are immediately ready to disclose their thoughts and feelings; others need more time to gain feelings of trust and security. If you are having a difficult time knowing how to discuss your problems with the group, ask the group to help you. 4. Take time for yourself. You have the right to take group time to talk about yourself. Some group members hesitate to take time because they feel others need the time or they question the importance of what they have to say. By recognizing what your reluctance means, you begin the growth process. 5. Focus on what is most important for you. You are encouraged to talk about relationships with significant others, questions about life goals and directions, childhood experiences, and feelings about yourself. As you discuss your concerns the group will help you recognize themes and patterns so these can be dealt with more directly. With time being limited, you’ll be encouraged to share essential information without going into extensive detail. Sometimes storytelling is used to avoid dealing with key issues. 6. Recognize and express thoughts and feelings. The recognition, acceptance, and expression of previously avoided thoughts and feelings pave the way for personal growth and change. If you have difficulty expressing your thoughts and feelings, ask the group to help you with this. 7. Be aware of censored thoughts and feelings. We are often taught to censor what we communicate to others. In a therapy group you are free to explore your thoughts and feelings without censorship. 8. Be an active group member. Being active means expressing your reactions to what another person is saying or doing, sharing your concerns, listening to others, asking for clarification if you don’t understand, and giving and asking for support. You probably won’t feel like being active each session, and that’s fine. It’s important to respect your needs for periods of reflection. 9. Take risks. The group is an excellent place for you to experiment with different ways of behaving and expressing yourself. You can discover what works and what doesn’t work for you. Risks might be expressing feelings that are difficult for you, sharing painful secrets, or confronting someone whose behavior upsets you. 10. Give and receive feedback. This is a major aspect of group therapy. The best way to get feedback is to request it from specific individual whose impression means the most to you. You have the right to ask for either positive or constructive comments (or both), depending on what you are ready to hear. In giving feedback, try to be specific and concrete. The purpose of giving feedback is to help the other person identify relating patterns, style of personal presentation, unrecognized attitudes, and inconsistencies. 11. Become aware of distancing behaviors. All of us have ways of behaving that prevent others from knowing and getting close to us. This can be remaining silent and uninvolved, telling long and involved stories, responding to others with intellectual statements, asking content questions, smiling and joking, and talking only about external events. Distancing behaviors have had a purpose in the past. Now the question is whether the behavior is preventing you from getting what you want—closer relationships with others. 12. Be patient with yourself. Growth takes time, effort, and patience. Changing maladaptive behaviors and negative self-feelings is difficult. Patience and self-acceptance sets the foundation for growth. 13. Work outside the group. In order to get the most from the group experience, spend time thinking about yourself, reflecting on what you are learning, and paying attention to your reactions and feelings. 14. Give the group time to develop. It takes a number of sessions before members of a group begin to have sufficient trust and security to be open and honest and to disclose their feelings. We encourage you to make a commitment to attend at least five sessions before you decide if group is for you. If you are having concerns about whether or not to stay in a group, discuss these with your group leader. For more information on how to get started in a group, contact: UNLV Student Counseling & Psychological Services Student Services Center, Room 103 702-895-3627 More Information For more information about the services at Student Counseling and Psychological Services, please call us at 895-3627. Our regular office hours are Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. back to top