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Group Psychotherapy
Group Psychotherapy is like individual therapy in that the
patient wants to learn how to better cope with problems and difficulties in
their lives, except that the therapist meets with a number of people (usually
between five and ten) at the same time, and they all interact and support each
other. Since personal interaction is the hallmark of group psychotherapy, this
is an especially good arena to work out relationship problems. Meeting in a
group is usually more cost-effective than meeting one-on-one with a therapist,
and has often proved to be more effective as well. Group therapy is usually
considered as a long-term option.
At a typical group meeting, each participant will relate his or her personal
issues and problems they are currently facing and dealing with. Group members
can also share their thoughts and feelings about what they went through during
previous sessions, or give their insights and support about the issues that
other group members are working through.
Often, some of the other people in the group will come to represent to the
patient people from their past that they need to deal with. Group psychotherapy
offers an excellent situation for working out those old issues.
There are a variety of techniques used in group psychotherapy, ranging from
verbal, behavioral, Gestalt, or psychoeducational. Each different approach has
its pluses and minuses, and every effort is made to match the most effective
approach to each individual.
Some research studies have shown that participating in group psychotherapy
improved the quality of life for cancer patients, and even extended them in
some cases. Group psychotherapy is effective because the group is able to offer
comfort, alternative behaviors, and support for each other as they create new
and more positive ways of dealing with other people. The group approach allows
the patients to see that they are not alone, and they feel free to talk
honestly about themselves due to the climate of trust that is built within the
group.
Some of the problems that are commonly solved in group psychotherapy include
relationship problems, fears of aging, medical illness, depression, loss of
loved ones, personality disorders, and various addictions.
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