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Going to therapy is a wonderful way to heal past traumas and move through troubling situations. At times, attending one-on-one therapy sessions can be stressful, causing some anxiety. And even then, individuals are only hearing one voice, which may not be enough. Research has shown that joining and attending a group regularly, many find a warm and welcoming environment that offers validation… among many other benefits. Even if it may seem intimidating at first, group therapy is one of the best ways to work through your problems with the power of a group dynamic.
Group Therapy And Validation
Attending group therapy is a great way to receive validation for your feelings and unique situation, because it’s likely individuals in your group are experiencing similar life situations or events. Sharing your problems with others who face the same concerns helps you build strong connections that lead to valuable insights and benefits.
By expressing yourself in a group, you have a room full of people who are there to support you and your emotions. Individuals can safely talk about their lives and hardships without fear of negative reactions. Everyone in group therapy is there to help one another, creating a powerful dynamic of validation that can help heal deep-seated emotional pain and suffering.
Healing Through Helping
As social creatures, it’s natural for humans to seek each other out, especially in times of trouble. We have always survived in groups, and maintaining mental health is no different. Simply talking about a problem with others is enough to begin the healing process, even if nothing gets resolved immediately. More than that, most people gain a sense of satisfaction after helping others; it’s just in our nature.
By attending group therapy, you have the opportunity to assist your fellow group members with their problems, while you are receiving help in return. It can be difficult to work through our own issues because we are often too close to them to do so. By examining someone else’s similar problems, we can see the bigger picture and inevitably discover solutions for our own.
Low-Pressure Communication
Talking about emotions isn’t always comfortable, especially if you aren’t used to doing it. While talking about your feelings in front of a group may not seem like an easy option, you may find it easier and more laid-back than an individual session. In one-on-one therapy, pressure to talk falls on you, which can be stressful. Having to immediately begin talking about your emotional wounds to a stranger can be difficult, even if you know that stranger is there to help.
Group therapy is different. Yes, you’re eventually going to have to share your feelings to the group, but there’s no pressure to do so right away. In fact, you can go a few sessions without having to talk about yourself much at all. Listening is also an option, it doesn’t mean you aren’t getting something valuable from your session. The opportunity to listen to others, provides you with the wherewithal to explore solutions and coping mechanisms for your own life. In many instances, the time you are ready to talk, you’ve already made some great progress.
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Building A Community
We naturally tend to be drawn towards others with similar life experiences or personalities as ourselves. Group therapy can be a wonderful place to find those people. Members in a group therapy session aren’t just strangers you meet and then part ways. Instead, they have the potential to be lifelong friends and a source of community that continues to support each other.
Just because the therapy sessions are over, doesn’t mean that the connections you made disappear. For many, staying in touch with group therapy members is a given, and several individuals find new friends and partnerships among their fellow attendees. By making these connections now, you know you’ll have the support and help you need in the future.
Group Therapy For All
At Connected Roots, we believe that everyone has the power to move on from their past and build a better future. No matter what you’re struggling with, you don’t have to struggle through it alone. We offer group therapy sessions for everyone, including specialized young adult groups for ages 18-24 and adult groups ages 22+. By attending our group sessions, you can build a strong community with like-minded individuals while working through your own emotional pains. Validation for your emotions and experiences is our number one goal, and getting that validation from your fellow group members can help you grow stronger as you move into your future. If you’re interested in learning more about how our group therapy sessions can help, give us a call at 720-593-1062. We’ll work with you and your insurance provider to get you the help, strength, and validation you need to heal.