![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Greg on August 18, 2000, at 6:29:56
Mornin' All,
I've been wondering about which therapy is most beneficial, one on one or group? I've heard good and bad things about both. I'm currently in one on one, but am wondering if I might benefit from a group environment in addition to, or instead of. Can ya'll share your experiences with me? I'd appreciate it!
Greg
Posted by Noa on August 18, 2000, at 6:51:46
In reply to One On One Therapy or Group....or both?, posted by Greg on August 18, 2000, at 6:29:56
My personal feeling is that it is good to be in 1:1 for a while first, if that modality works for you, before starting a group. It can help to have both at the same time, because sometimes the individual helps you to process what you experience in the group. In general, I think it is good to start one treatment at a time to get a sense of its effects. If you start two at the same time it is hard to tell which is helping, or how each is helping. This is true for meds, too, I think.
Posted by Rhainy on August 18, 2000, at 8:20:59
In reply to One On One Therapy or Group....or both?, posted by Greg on August 18, 2000, at 6:29:56
Greg,
I would have to say I think that the 1:1 is the best place to *start* and then once the major issues are being worked through, adding the group would be a benefit. Often times, the pdoc is not available for the extra support when things are (Not a Major crisis) but a little rough and you need *some* extra support.
I have been in very deep therapy in the past...(damn I wish I could move my old pdoc up here)...but have fallen back into my negative ways and need to find one up here. I went to a group after I had been seeing her for about 6 months. Having the group offered the extra support system I needed at the times when I couldnot reach her for anything other than Emergency situations.
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
Rhainy
Posted by Kath on August 18, 2000, at 9:29:15
In reply to One On One Therapy or Group....or both?, posted by Greg on August 18, 2000, at 6:29:56
Hi Greg - I agree 1:1 first then add group if you can. I think it's realy important for you to feel good about your 1:1 therapist. It's important to trust him (I think you said yours was male)...and to feel reasonably comfortable with him.
I once went to an "Adlerian" (sp?) & didn't really like him at all - he seemed distant & I didn't feel TREMENDOUSLY comfortable with him, but BOY did he help me realize some interesting & useful things.
If you ever want to talk about how you feel at your appointments, etc. I'm a willing listener & if you ever want feedback about it, ditto.
I'm getting ready to go camping Sunday with hubby & both kids (I'm 'besited').
Just skimming through the boards before I start getting some laundry done, camping stuff ready, etc.
Thinkin' of ya'.
Hugs, Kath> Mornin' All,
>
> I've been wondering about which therapy is most beneficial, one on one or group? I've heard good and bad things about both. I'm currently in one on one, but am wondering if I might benefit from a group environment in addition to, or instead of. Can ya'll share your experiences with me? I'd appreciate it!
>
> Greg
Posted by tina on August 18, 2000, at 16:16:35
In reply to One On One Therapy or Group....or both?, posted by Greg on August 18, 2000, at 6:29:56
Hello Gregory: How've ya been?
I think I would be terrified to air my dirty laundry in a group but then again, it's probably what a person like myself needs to get over her fear of being "found out." I like the one on one stuff but I can see how group would be beneficial. YOur AA meetings were a kind of group therapy session, how'd ya feel about them? Do you think the group atmosphere helped you kick the habit because you were accountable to the others? Maybe there's a competition element to group like "If that person can do it, so can I" Never been in group but I think it would be good to try at some point but I also agree with everyone else here. Go slow. One step at a time.
Love ya
Tina> Mornin' All,
>
> I've been wondering about which therapy is most beneficial, one on one or group? I've heard good and bad things about both. I'm currently in one on one, but am wondering if I might benefit from a group environment in addition to, or instead of. Can ya'll share your experiences with me? I'd appreciate it!
>
> Greg
Posted by Chris A. on August 18, 2000, at 18:21:07
In reply to One On One Therapy or Group....or both?, posted by Greg on August 18, 2000, at 6:29:56
Greg,
What about adding an in-person support group and continuing with one-on-one therapy? Since you've been recently diagnosed with bipolar it might be helpful to locate a group that has an understanding of those issues. The DMDA (Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association - http://www.ndmda.org/) has groups across the US. I was fortunate enough to be involved with a similar group here that has helped in ways that professional therapy cannot.
The key to one-on-one therapy is a good therapist/client fit. My current therapist is probably the best fit I have ever found. He is more strength based/goal oriented, but lets me talk about anything I want. I've been able to talk him about things I've never told anyone and find it a relief. He has a good grasp of Bipolar in addition to a very practical approach.You've been a great support to so many here. Hope you find what you need.
Blesings,
Chris A.
Posted by Greg on August 18, 2000, at 19:35:06
In reply to Re: One On One Therapy or Group....or both?, posted by Chris A. on August 18, 2000, at 18:21:07
Noa, Rhainy, Kath, Tina (BB) and Chris,
Thanks for all the wonderful input! I think Tina really read my mind when she mentioned being accountable to the group. AA has taught me a lot about accountability and maybe I'm feeling like a group atmosphere might help keep me honest. I can really lie to myself about what I'm feeling, and when I do that I lie to others as well.
My new therapist is great! He has this warming smile, a gentle but firm voice and MAN, he called me on my BS right from the get-go! He brought things to my attention in our first session that I hadn't even thought of. I think he's going to be real good for me.
You all have given me some things to think about and I REALLY appreciate it. It helps to know that I have so many wonderful people on my side.
You know, I've made more friends in my 8 months here than I have in my whole life, what a trip!
Bless you all,
Greg
Posted by shar on August 18, 2000, at 23:07:44
In reply to Re: One On One Therapy or Group....or both? - All » Chris A., posted by Greg on August 18, 2000, at 19:35:06
Greg,
Probably one of the big issues in 1:1 versus group is that the dynamic is extremely different. In 1:1 you can work on issues that are important to you, and you get to know yourself and feelings well. AA probably helped there, too. (A lot of people don't actually realize what feeling they're experiencing at the time they have it. They may realize it later or not. It's like the person who laughs when talking about anger (I still do this at times), or is saying yes while shaking their head no, or talks about "you" instead of "I", etc.)Group can be run like everyone has an mini-session with the therapist, but by and large that isn't the case.
In group, my therapist puts a big emphasis on interactions within the group (ie, telling others how you honestly feel about something they did or said (this is very hard for me), or learning to value differences, or not changing yourself because someone might get mad at you). Plus, a group will usually be a place that can bring out family issues, or authority issues. Plus, other members may stimulate in you things from sibs or other important family members, that you can work on.
In my group, storytelling is not encouraged unless needed for background, very different than AA! She uses the Agassarian (?) method with other stuff thrown in. Primarily, she says group is like a laboratory for the real world. And, I do find that to be true.
With my current therapist, I saw her individually (storytelling allowed) for about a year, then to group (coed vs. same sex is another question) with occasional individual appointments, then quit for a while, then to individual again after about a year (some of this was pre-AD stuff), then went with soon-to-be-ex-husband (now is ex), then saw her individually some more, now in group again with rare individual appointments.
We also e-mail each other, and I can call her if needed to talk. We've talked a lot in and out of group about my unemployment (that's a BIG stressor).
This is long, isn't it?! More than you ever wanted to know!!
Take care,
Shar
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.