Group therapy provides treatment in a format where there are typically 1-2 therapists and 6-8 participants with related problems. I am a passionate advocate for group therapy.  In the past 15 years, I have found group work to be an extraordinarily effective treatment for abuse recovery.  It is essential to be connected to people while you journey into the past and through the present effects of your abuse.  It is vital, not just because you will need support along the way, but also because you have so much to give.

Group learning, listening and reflection are an asset to recovery and change. One of the most impactful groups I offer is for victims of childhood sexual abuse.  I offer several groups throughout the year.  Participants in group work frequently experience change, positively impacting lives in a safe and supportive environment with others experiencing similar difficulties.  In the abuse recovery groups, we use Dan Allender’s book and workbook titled “The Wounded Heart.”

I have found that people in group therapy improve not only from the interventions of the therapist, but also from observing others in the group and receiving feedback from group members. The group format, while not providing the one-on-one attention of individual formats, has several advantages.  A few advantages of group therapy include: Additional feedback from others and gaining a different perspective which is often helpful in promoting growth and change; Modeling by seeing how others deal with similar problems allowing the patient to add new coping methods to her behaviors; Offers a high return on their financial investment since group therapy costs less than an individual therapy session;  Improves communication skills as group members learn to communicate with greater clarity and effectiveness with one another;  Normalizing occurs when you see others going through what you are, you realize others are going through some of the same things; Bonding occurs when you experience therapy in a group setting, we have the potential to be vulnerable and see others be vulnerable as well. This can be a very safe, warm and connecting experience, especially in the hands of well-trained therapists