Posted by Jost on August 29, 2006, at 23:31:40
In reply to Re: group therapy? » sunnydays, posted by zenhussy on August 29, 2006, at 20:28:37
I've been in three groups. Four actually, but one ended and I was seeing the T running both, so I went into the second group.
In retrospect I've learned a lot from them. IRL, they weren't so great.
I don't fit well into groups. I tend to swim against the current. Also tend to be able to outthink most people, on my feet--it's a bad habit. I'm a pretty fast logic chopper, when I'm feeling threatened, but not too threatened. Tend to do it much too often-- not a good thing, in a group.
Or I used to be.
On one hand, I don't like fitting in, unless I just do. On the other hand, I could probably learn a lot, if I could be calmer, less assertive, and more adaptive.
Groups can be good for support, or for working out some issue-- if your issues aren't too intense. Sometimes people would really set me off, and one can learn to handle that. Or if people understand you, that can reinforce that you're okay.
I personally would be extremely careful about trusting the judgment, skill and balance of the T. I'd say that several of the group Ts handled some important issues with me really really badly-- which caused serious breakdowns between me and them, and then me and the other group members. And I actually thought the other one was handling things pretty badly with a couple of other group members.
I'm hypercritical, though.
It depends on how comfortable you are in group situations, too. I have some issues about that, also.
Sorry, I'm rambling. Groups can be good or actually pretty bad, depending on the other group members and the therapist.
I don't mean to discourage you, though, because with a good T and people you relate to, I"ve seen people get a lot out of groups.
I'd give it a try and see how it feels. That's the only real test.
Jost
poster:Jost
thread:681263
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060826/msgs/681378.html