The first heard of Group therapy was started in 1895. But group meetings did not get popular until world war 2. Those groups were started mainly to treat the men who came back from war. As group therapy about trauma.
There were no mental health professionals at that time. Doctors wanted to help with war-related mental health issues at that time in 1941 and started group meetings. A little history there.
Have you ever attended a support group, or in any kind of a group that gets together and shares their health issues, problems, or almost anything that a person is willing to talk about? Sometimes, people, all need is to talk and to hear themselves talk and suddenly their problems have been resolved.
Group members will discuss the rules and goals of the group. The therapist will go over the rules of confidentially and the role that each person plays at the group meetings.
That would be an ideal solvent to a problem, yes, just that quick. We can talk about anything, just let your group lead, therapist, or the group know if it is ok, to talk about whatever it could be that you need to talk about.
Ask for feedback. Here is a list that you can get some ideas of what people could talk about. Always remind people to keep confidentially. Of course, It all depends on your trust in people.
- Very popular topic – Divorce.
- Marriage problems.
- Advice from trying to talk about an important topic to a spouse. Where can I start? How can I do this?
- How to talk to your grown children.
- Someone just died in your family, having a hard time dealing with a loved one’s death. Guilt mainly.
- For my health purposes, I need to lose 35 lbs. can anyone help? Personal trainer. I will pay.
- Drug or alcohol addictions.
- You’re in a domestic violent relationship and need help.
- You need a safe place to live. (Rent)
Members of the group can offer you advice, or maybe somebody is a lawyer. You just never know what someone can offer unless you give them a chance. They can also give you a shoulder to cry on or maybe even emotional support.
If the group has come up with a group problem, the therapist can help by doing some research and present it to teach the group coping skills, other concepts of different skills that best match what everyone needs, or valuable information that someone could use.
There are other group activities, for example, cooking, gardening, even painting, this requires working together with others, and suddenly, guess what? You’ve made new friends… Just be careful, you could meet some people with different personalities or worse problems than you. Know your boundaries. In these groups, you will get to know different personalities and have a choice in who you would like as a friend.
Are you in an “open group meeting” or a “closed group meeting”? A closed group meeting would mean, once a group is started, no one else can join in, only a certain few start from the beginning of the group, and no one new can come in.
An open group of people can come to attend at any time. You will have a harder time getting to know everyone in this group because people will be joining in at all times.
Also, important to know that therapist is obligated by law, to report to police, if members express to harm themselves or others. And in group settings, it is their responsibility to maintain a peaceful, respectful, and safe environment and free from verbal, physical, or emotional abuse.
The therapist should make it known that group therapy sessions are to be nonjudgmental and very productive for each person. All of the above is including the Therapist.
God bless everyone including the therapist who tried to heal those who wanted to heal. Many blessings to you all.