Posted by zenhussy on March 31, 2007, at 2:32:35
In reply to Group therapy is hard, posted by Daisym on March 31, 2007, at 0:31:23
>>>Group is just hard. Any tips, other than running away?<<<
don't. seriously. over the time we spent in group we went as large as seven not including therapist and down to those tiny three person groups. the dynamics shifted dramatically when the group was so small.
one thing that helped in the group was the way in which the therapist ran it. much attention was paid to allocating time for each member as needed. the group would figure out depending on how many had shown up how long a turn each could take over the three hours (two? can't recall) and still have time for check ins and a final closing before end. if someone wanted to not use their turn we'd all go and then at the end we'd see if that person had changed mind so that they had chance to use THEIR time in group.
initial impression from your post is that group therapist doesn't seem to manage smaller groups as well as when the group is full. if that's incorrect--apologies.
we'd never be facing our stuff if we hadn't done group work. it was essential for us for our healing and our truths. we'd have never learned how to be vulnerable or how to ask for help if not for the examples we witnessed firsthand in group.
is there any option to sit a "round" out of group? perhaps the therapist needs to build the group back up to a more workable number to help balance the dynamics.
do not give up. we're here because others took time to let us know not to give up. several years ago we couldn't have imagined feeling as we do now........things aren't great but we're not in the horror we used to live in day and night. that is the direct result of working w/ pdoc, thearpist, group therapy, and a host of other healing modalities.
it is work. and it ain't easy but the relief from shedding the pain, guilt and shame more than make up for the long road it has been and the long road it continues to be. if we're still here and not in the hole we used to live in then anything is possible.
how funny after several years of reading these boards we come across the same thing from folks.......never, won't, can't, NO to a variety of things that might be able to help them.....and after several years of struggling and still more denial many have 180'd into treatments that have improved their lives in ways they never dreamt.
don't run. maybe stroll for a bit. please don't shut the door on group just yet....especially if you're making yourself invisible. staying merely to address that is worth it as it can help you understand more about the ongoing unanswered whys.
poster:zenhussy
thread:745674
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20070324/msgs/745687.html