By Lydia Sterry | Submitted On September 29, 2017
You may be wondering what existential group therapy is. Well it involves a number of things and below are some pointers that outline what you might expect.
SHATTERING OUR ASSUMPTIONS
Group therapy could help us to shatter our assumptions to understand ourselves and other people better. When we hold negative thoughts in without processing them, they can become ingrained so that we see the world through that lens. From there we might make many assumptions that may or may not be true. Group tends to highlight how we often make assumptions about what the other person intended. Then when we’re actually presented with a reality check by being encouraged to ask a member of the group what they were thinking when they said something, we’re often surprised to hear they had a totally different take. Without the clutter of our own (often mistaken) assumptions, it can be easier to understand others’ intentions and motivations.
UNPACKING CURVE BALLS TO MOVE FORWARDS
Since big and small conflicts will arise from time to time, exploring the group as to how to approach them in a healthy way could be useful. Conflicts are a part of everyday life and it’s helpful to be aware of our feelings around our them. If, for example, you’re angry with your boss who is piling up work for you when you are getting ready to go home, you might feel resentment and frustration. The group itself could analyse with you what’s going on outside (your boss’ demands) and inside (your mounting anger, irritation, and perhaps, fear of losing your job if you say ‘no’). You then might be in a better position to resolve the current conflict or the next time the same scenario occurs. Talking things through with a group and reflecting on what feelings are evoked, and why, could lead to a greater understanding of ourselves. We’re then unrestricted to think of ways to respond in a more proactive way. Learning how not to get swallowed up by events, but instead how to learn from them and move forwards maybe something the group could assist with.
TALKING ABOUT THINGS GIVES THEM SHAPE
Have you ever noticed how turning a problem around and around in your head can often get you even more confused? It’s sometimes so easy to feel overwhelmed by a problem when it’s in your head. However talking about it could give it a beginning, middle, and end. This is where the multiple perspectives of a group scenario could help us dissect the dilemma. In turn, this can then start the process of simplifying what we’re really struggling with, to be able to clarify our thinking. Overall, we’re looking to use the support of the group to lay out the issue, so it can become clearer, more logical, and therefore more manageable.
YOU KNOW YOU’RE NOT ALONE
Even though you may be feeling miserable and not in the mood for company, it might be reassuring to be with people who are dealing with similar issues and themes. Using group to open up more about your personal struggles may be rewarding, especially if you find it difficult to share with friends and family. The group could give you the nudge to start the ball rolling to engage in these important dialogues. Most group members will naturally form a relationship by expressing their experiences and feelings. At times, this relationship forms trust, which can promote a sense of belonging among the members.
FINANCIALLY BENEFICIAL
Groups are financially beneficial and relatively cheaper than one-on-one sessions. Individual sessions might not be within your budget and knowing this sometimes could discourage you from starting therapy. However, some might start group and move to individual sessions when they are financially in a better position.
SEEING HOW YOU RELATE TO OTHERS
Most personal problems often stem from our relationships or from our personal patterns of relating. Group therapy offers the rare opportunity to explore and understand how we relate to others and get specific feedback on how others relate to us. Once the group environment of trust and safety has developed we can explore how we can create the same kind of trust and safety in our own various relationships.
Overall, group is a starting place of shared experiences from where we can explore and reflect on many life struggles. Lastly, it’s worth noting that rather the whole process being overwhelming, group therapy tends to be compassionately challenging and can be extremely life enhancing for some.
If you would like to know more about starting one of the existential group sessions simply email progressiveprocess@live.com.au or click here to book a free group consultation.