Hearing about group counseling in Flower Mound might make you think of the scene in Finding Nemo where poor Marlin interrupts a group of sharks trying to reform their fish-eating ways. But group counseling has many applications beyond a support group for lapsed meat eaters. If that scene comes to mind, it is probably because the type of group counseling with which most people are familiar is twelve step programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous.
While these are wonderful programs, they are certainly not the only type of group counseling available. Group counseling is an umbrella term that encompasses any type of counseling done with a group, usually between five and fifteen people, who are meeting to work through a shared objective.
These objectives can encompass a wide range of issues. Some common focuses include depression, anxiety, chronic illness, weight loss, cancer support, addiction recovery, eating disorder recovery, childhood trauma and abuse recovery. There are also groups focused on learning and practicing social skills in a group setting. Depending on the group size, you might have one or more counselors facilitating the meeting.
There are different models of group counseling. A twelve-step program, for example, will be focused on “working the steps.” Other groups there might be a resource that they work through together. Still others might have their primary focus on sharing their experience and validating and speaking into other group members’ experiences.
Support groups in Flower Mound focus on recovery and can be for both the person struggling and their family members (i.e. AA and Al-Anon). They often incorporate other therapeutic principles, and members of support groups often seek individual counseling as well. Especially in the case of addiction, support groups are helpful accountability, but more focused work might be initially needed to address issues.
Some groups are focused on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and focus on learning how to identify and change incorrect beliefs and behaviors. These types of groups could also be primarily directed toward educating while also providing CBT strategies.
Another type of group is a skills-based group where the goal is to learn a necessary set of skills. For example, a group could focus on social skills if the members deal with developmental or behavioral challenges. The nature of group therapy makes it especially suited to providing an environment to learn and practice new social skills.
An important distinction in looking at types of group counseling in Flower Mound is whether the group is open or closed. An open group will accept new members at any time and might have a constantly changing membership as people filter in and out. A closed group has members committing to a certain time frame and meeting with the same group of people. They each have benefits and drawbacks. A closed group allows for greater depth of relationship, while an open group is ideal in terms of accessibility and availability.
Group counseling is appropriate for a large range of conditions and can help with anything from depression to social skills. However, for many severe mental health concerns, group therapy is most appropriate as an adjunct therapy versus being a stand-alone treatment.
Group counseling in Flower Mound, Texas is available for:
- Anxiety disorders
- Panic disorders
- Eating disorders
- Substance addiction
- PTSD
- ADHD
- Grief
It has also shown promise as a means of support for those dealing with chronic illness, major life change (like adoption or divorce), anger management and other challenges.
A unique part of group therapy in Flower Mound and one of its greatest strengths is that it offers the chance to practice social interactions in a larger context than an individual counseling relationship. As group members interact, they develop a microcosm of patterns within their family units, which then allows these patterns to be examined in greater depth.
The camaraderie of being surrounded by people who are facing similar struggles can also provide a powerful antidote to shame and provide solace and comfort. As members of the group share, they can give other members language for their experiences. Seeing members who are further along the path toward health can provide inspiration for other group members when they see that their challenges are not insurmountable.
Often strong relationships can develop between group members, even though they may start as strangers. Open communication, honesty, and a high priority on maintaining member confidentiality are hallmarks of a healthy group counseling environment. Counselors who facilitate group counseling are trained in therapeutic approaches that enable them to provide group members with valuable strategies and different coping mechanisms. They work hard to maintain a positive experience for everyone involved.
This type of counseling tends to be more cost effective, which can make therapy more accessible for people who might otherwise not be able to afford it. For example, if someone has been seeing an individual counselor but they cannot afford to go every week, a support group or group counseling session could bridge this gap between individualized care and no care at all, ensuring greater efficacy for treatment.
In some instances, group counseling can be court ordered, such as for juvenile substance use, anger management or other concerns. This can provide a challenge for the counselor facilitating if the members of the group aren’t attending of their own free will, but there are still many ways these groups can be helpful.
Some of the potential cautions for group counseling being would be if the person is in a crisis state and needs more individual care. For example, if someone is experiencing active suicidal ideation, they would benefit from meeting one-on-one with a counselor. Another example is if they are experiencing an extremely high level of distress. In these scenarios, group counseling could still be appropriate. But it would be wise to get the individual to a more stable point in an individual counseling setting first.
Just as most health concerns can be treated by a general practitioner, but it would be more appropriate to visit the ER with a gaping wound, one must evaluate the level of care required. You must know that the level of individualized care will be different in a group counseling session. For others who are feeling that they’ve reached an impasse in their individual counseling, group counseling can provide new input and help that individual continue to progress in their healing.
Next Steps for Group Counseling in Flower Mound
If you think group counseling in Flower Mound could be a good fit for you, we’d love to talk to you about it. We have counselors that lead a variety of groups. If we don’t have a group to meet your needs, our counselors can direct you toward other community organizations who provide group counseling.
As Christian counselors, we also believe that confession and prayer and receiving the gift of true community with others who are struggling can be deeply healing. James 5:16 NIV says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” We believe that there is power in speaking the truth, proclaiming what is true and confessing the things that weigh you down, so that you can find healing.
Ultimately the goal of group counseling in Flower Mound is to help you become a wholehearted person, ready to live the life that God has called you to live.
Sources:
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapy. American Psychological Association. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/group-therapy
Cherry, K. (2021, July 13). How group therapy works. Very well Mind. Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-group-therapy-2795760
Schmimmel, C., & Jacobs, E. (2014, February 26). The toughest kinds of groups. Counseling Today. Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://ct.counseling.org/2014/02/the-toughest-kinds-of-groups/
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