Group Counseling

In the group, you will learn about how you perceive yourself (self-esteem), how you perceive others, and how others perceive you. Through identification with other group members’ issues, you will likely experience an increase in your own self-awareness and self-confidence. 

Better Communication Skills


Through your interactions with other group members, you will learn how to better relate in your relationships with others outside the group.

• Assertiveness – Group is a good place to learn to be more assertive in important areas of your life.
 
• Sensitivity – You will likely learn to become more sensitive to the needs of others. 

Increased Self-Awareness

• Thoughts, Feelings, Behaviors – You will likely identify previously unknown or repressed thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
• Identification of Patterns – You will likely learn to identify relational patterns or life themes which are interfering with your growth.

How to Get the Most from Group

• Be Yourself – Start from where you are, not how you think others want you to be. This might mean that you express anger or hostility, appear shy or withdrawn, or say things to others harshly.
• Define Goals – Think about what you would like to get out of the group and talk about these goals early in the group.Take
• Time for You – Some group members hesitate to take group time because they feel others need the time or they question the importance of what they have to say.
• Recognize and Express Thoughts and Feelings – The recognition and expression of previously avoided thoughts and feelings are important to your personal growth and change.
• Be an Active Group Member – Being active means expressing your reactions to what another person is saying or doing, sharing your concerns, listening to others, asking for clarification if you don’t understand, and giving and asking for support.
• Take Risks – The group is an excellent place for you to experiment with different ways of behaving and expressing yourself. You can discover what does and does not work for you. Risks included expressing feelings that are difficult for you, sharing painful secrets, or confronting someone whose behavior upsets you.
• Give and Receive Feedback – The best way to get feedback is to request it from specific individuals, whose impression means the most to you. You have the right to ask for negative and/or positive comments from others. The purposes of giving feedback include helping the other person identify patterns in how they relate to others, style of personal presentation, and inconsistencies.
• Be Patient and Allow the Group to Develop – Growth takes time, effort, and patience. Changing maladaptive behaviors and negative self-feelings is difficult. Patience and self-acceptance set the foundation for growth.