When you’re going through a difficult time in your life, there’s nothing like the support of a strong and welcoming community to help you overcome your challenges. Although it can seem daunting at first, group therapy is a valuable healing resource, because sharing your experiences with others with similar challenges can help you move toward a better tomorrow. Humans are social creatures, and finding a safe environment where you can build a strong community is necessary in order to find balance and peace in your life.
Community In Group Therapy
Group therapy is based on two principles of healing. The first is community. Humans have always drawn from strength in numbers, whether a tribe of hunters is fighting off a wooly mammoth… or a modern day individual is dealing with the struggles of life.
Constant Support
When you start group therapy, you build a system of support that helps you in your daily life. Many people find themselves without friends or family members they can rely on to discuss their problems and to explore solutions. Once they attend group therapy, however, they discover a group of potential friends, all of whom understand what they’re going through and are eager to support one another.
Multiple Opinions
In contrast to individual therapy - where there’s only one source of advice - group sessions give you more input and multiple perspectives to consider. Each person has their own unique story and outlook on life, and each will have a different idea on how to navigate through a situation.
Solutions Through Example
Group therapy sessions are made up of members who have shared a similar experience. It could be the loss of a loved one, the rising anxiety of life caused by the pandemic, or the hardships of growing up. Because everyone is in a similar situation, each member gets the chance to learn from others’ successes and mistakes. Each story can be a cautionary tale or provide hope. Listening to another person’s experiences can help you shape your own, providing a path to better understanding of your potential solutions.
Validation in Group Therapy
The second principle of healing through group therapy is based on validation. For many who seek therapy, they’re often looking for more than just a solution to their problem. They want someone to understand their challenges, validate their emotions, and support their point of view.
Validation Through Example
When struggling with a difficult time in your life, it’s easy to feel like no one else in the world understands what you’re going through. In group therapy, you hear stories and situations similar to yours through the lenses of others. By meeting others who share your pains and experiences, you feel less alone and more validated with your emotions.
Providing Validation
Seeing the relief in someone’s eyes when you tell them their emotions are valid is a wonderful experience. But providing validation for others is about more than just helping them feel better; you start to feel better too. Hearing your own voice validate the voices of others is a reminder that your experiences and emotions are valid as well. We’re more likely to trust ourselves once we start sharing the healing words we need for ourselves.
Group Therapy with Connected Roots
At Connected Roots, we want to help everyone find the community and validation they need through group therapy. Our sessions, both group and individual, are designed around building support and strength from within. There’s no reason to struggle with your situation alone. By participating in group therapy sessions, you’ll find a community of individuals who share your experiences and who can help you find solutions. If you’re ready to start building a strong community and finding validation for yourself, contact Connected Roots today at 720-593-1062.