Group Therapy | Benefits and How it is Implemented

For many people, group therapy can seem like an overwhelming experience, opening up to total strangers in a new and unfamiliar setting. However, the reality of group therapy is far different than people expect, with counsellors on-hand to nurture a supportive and caring environment, surrounded by like-minded individuals who are undergoing similar challenges.

For those navigating a condition like addiction, isolation is a common symptom, with individuals separating themselves entirely from their loved ones, pushing them away to the point where all they have left is the object of their dependence. For this reason, our team at Primrose Lodge place connection at the heart of everything we do, offering a number of comprehensive therapies in a group setting and encouraging our clients to join their peers on their respective rehabilitation journeys.

What is group therapy?

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapeutic treatment which involves several clients working with one counsellor at the same time. A very popular form of treatment, group therapy can be employed across a range of settings, including:

Hospitals
Community groups
Mental health centres

Group therapy will look different in each setting, and sessions can be carried out with groupings as little as four of five, working upwards to groups of fifteen or more. Usually congregating once or twice a week, this allows participants to get to know one another, and work to build a supportive atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding.

Group therapy in addiction treatment

Group therapy is recognised as a fundamental component in the recovery process; it is common for rehab centres to include some form of group rehabilitation during their rehab treatment. Studies show that group therapy has the potential to reduce isolation, enabling other clients to actively witness others in their rehabilitation and draw them into a shared culture of recovery. In this sense, group therapy holds a huge potential to motivate and inspire clients towards lifelong recovery, with the communal atmosphere built over the course of the sessions often proving more powerful than individual therapy.

Benefits of group therapy in addiction treatment

Some of the benefits that come with group therapy include, but are not limited to:

Shows us the power of connection

Connection is often seen as the antidote to addiction, with the intimate bonds built over the course of treatment giving clients the motivation to see through their own recovery journeys. Through group therapy, individuals can build positive relationships in a controlled setting, monitored by trained professionals. This way, once leaving addiction treatment, those in recovery have a support system to lean on if they ever need extra support or guidance.

Teaches clients that it is okay to be vulnerable

For many people, addiction can develop as a crutch to manage the pressures of everyday life. In this sense, rather than showing weakness to others or admitting when challenges are too great, these individuals will instead develop unhealthy coping strategies to keep things on an even keel. Through group therapy, however, clients are assured that vulnerability is all a part of the process, and it is not a bad thing; in fact, quite the opposite, it is a sign of strength.

Proves that recovery is possible

Witnessing ourselves and other clients transform over the course of treatment can be inspirational and motivating. During this process, residents can feel part of a group and recognise the value of relationships in their overall sense of wellbeing and self-worth.

Outline triggers and work through them in healthy ways

One of the most transformative elements of rehab is that it allows residents to connect with other people who are encountering similar obstacles of addiction. By working as a group to discuss any potential triggers that they may face once having left a centre, this ensures a long and lasting recovery.

Group therapy at Primrose Lodge

At Primrose Lodge, we recognise the potential addiction can have, isolating people from their loved ones, cutting them off from support networks that are essential to sustained recovery. For this reason, our treatment works on the principle that the opposite of addiction is connection, bringing clients together to see through their rehabilitation together.
Some of the different types of group therapy we use at Primrose Lodge includes:

Support groups

Sometimes, it can be difficult to recognise a problem within yourself, even if it is one that is so clearly visible to others. At Primrose Lodge, we use support groups to encourage our clients to avoid isolation and open up to others in the recovery community. These group dynamics prove particularly useful in sessions, as residents can offer their own insights and understanding; exploring new, alternative ways to approach real life problems once having left our centre.

Cognitive behavioural group therapy

Proven to be highly beneficial for alcoholism, substance use disorders and behavioural addictions, cognitive behavioural therapy in group sessions give clients a chance to challenge some of the negative thought patterns which may have prompted or exacerbated their addiction – all with the help of their peers. An example of an unhealthy thought pattern is blaming other people for a problem, with the addict holding outside individuals responsible for their emotional pain or any problems they might be having. In a cognitive behavioural group therapy session, clients can listen to others within the group, gaining a new perspective through listening and processing. This way, residents will have the additional clarity to identify similar thoughts or behaviours within themselves and work to find solutions.

12-step group therapy

Initially created to help alcoholics in getting sober, the 12-step programme has expanded into a tried and tested mode of treatment for a vast number of addictions, including substance use disorders, gambling, sex and love addiction and eating disorders. By understanding and following twelve specific guidelines to recovery, individuals can learn strategies to ensure long term rehabilitation. Carried out in a group setting, 12-step meetings are so unique as there is no therapist in charge of running the group. In fact, those who have first-hand experience with addiction lead the sessions, an element which makes this mode of treatment so unique. Through the 12-step, recovering addicts are taught that acceptance and a willingness to get better are the only tools that are required to start a new life, free from addiction. Accessible anywhere and at any time, 12-step groups are one of the most effective tools to treat addiction.

Reach out about Group Therapy at Primrose Lodge

If you are new to recovery and still trying to navigate some major life changes, we appreciate that taking part in activities like group therapy can seem like a daunting prospect. You might feel anxious or stressed, overwhelmed to share your thoughts in fear of being judged. However, from our team at Primrose Lodge, we want to remind you that recovery is not about doing what feels comfortable or best for you in that current moment, it is about being brave enough to go beyond your current limits and seeking positive change.

At our centre, we work tirelessly to cultivate an environment that is free from judgement and prejudice, ensuring that our therapies our surrounded with kind and compassionate individuals looking to start on the road to recovery.

If you would like to learn more about group therapy at Primrose Lodge and what we have to offer you, contact a member of our team right away.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to talk in group therapy if I don’t want to?

If you feel uncomfortable sharing in a group therapy session, you can absolutely abstain from speaking if these are your wishes. There is no pressure to “make friends” or seek a friendship group in rehab.

However, once you have settled into your therapy group, we do recommend that clients share with the rest of the group, as this will ensure they can get the most out of their treatment experience as they possibly can.

Are people going to judge me in group therapy?

This is a concern that many individuals can face prior to addiction treatment. However, it is important to remember that group therapy sessions take place in a controlled setting, with trained counsellors on-hand to lead the group, ensuring everyone that they can express themselves in a safe and open space. While we do encourage that our clients open up a dialogue with one another to see their addiction from a new perspective, we have a zero tolerance policy on bullying or judgement of any kind.

Disclaimer:

The availability of therapies may vary across UKAT centres. The specific therapies provided will be determined based on your treatment plan and the programme offered at your chosen facility. All treatments are subject to clinical assessment and programme availability at the time of admission. For further details on the therapies included in your treatment plan, please contact our admissions team.

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