Group Counseling
You may have heard of group counseling or seen it on television but wondered what it’s really like. At Redlands Christian Counseling we offer a wide variety of counseling options for your needs, and group counseling can be a great resource.
It is always our goal to help you thrive. This looks different for everyone, and it requires different things. Some people need individual counseling and others need a different approach. Group counseling can be helpful, but the first step is understanding more about what group counseling is and how it may benefit you.
Get connected with a Christian Counselor
Contact our reception team at
(424) 438-2888
Let’s start with the basics. In its simplest form group counseling is counseling for a group. However, this does not mean you can just put any group of people together, talk for an hour, and call it group counseling.
A form of psychotherapy, group counseling brings four to fifteen people together with one or two therapists. Usually, these people are dealing with similar issues. It is often an interactive form of counseling that allows the participants to learn from and support one another with the guidance of the therapists.
Group counseling can be used in several different circumstances. The key is that there is a common thread that connects the participants. This can include things like:
- Disorders such as ADHD and PTSD
- Anxiety
- Addiction
- Abuse
- Grief / loss
- Suicide / self-harm
- Phobias
- Depression
- Divorce
- Weight issues / disordered eating
- General wellness
- Domestic violence
- Panic
- Miscarriage
- Infertility
- Anger
These are some of the many different things group counseling can help with. Redlands Christian Counseling can help you find the right setting for your needs.
Group counseling offers the same premise as individual or family counseling but through different means. Instead of being one-on-one with a counselor, you are with a group of people with similar struggles. This can help in a variety of ways:
- It’s encouraging to see other people walking through similar issues. It helps you feel less alone.
- You can learn from people at various stages in their journey.
- You can help other people from your experience.
- It is often more affordable.
- You learn more ideas and strategies through discussion with a group of people and their experiences.
- There are opportunities for things like role-play and social skill development activities.
- You develop a network of people you can reach out to talk to.
Some things are unique to group counseling that you should be aware of. To get the full benefit, you should consider whether you are comfortable with these.
Will you share? To get the most out of group counseling you need to be willing to share with the group. This means trusting a small group of people under the guidance of the counselor. You can choose to minimally participate in group counseling, but you will not get the full benefit.
Are you willing to find the right fit? Just like in relationships, not everyone is a good fit. It helps if you are willing to try a few groups to find one that is the right fit. If you go to one and it doesn’t feel perfect, don’t give up. There are numerous groups available. Sometimes you just need to go on a different day to discover a different group of people that you connect better with. Be willing to try a few.
Are you in crisis? Group counseling is good for many things, but being in the middle of a crisis is not one of them. When you are facing a specific crisis (especially if it hasn’t been dealt with previously) it is important to seek individual counseling before pursuing group counseling.
While both have some similar characteristics, they are different. Group counseling is led by a trained counselor, providing guided support to a group of people invited by the counselor to attend. There is usually a cost to group counseling.
Support groups are typically public and for the support of people with the same or similar problems. They are often free and led by a sponsor, a member who has progressed in their journey, or fellow participants. These include groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Groups.
If you’re thinking about group counseling.
You don’t need to figure this out on your own. If you are considering group counseling our office can help you determine if it is right for you and your needs. Connect with Redlands Christian Counseling for help.
Get connected with a Christian Counselor
Contact our reception team at
(424) 438-2888