When you are hurting or struggling with something like
anxiety or your kids or something else like burnout, sometimes the last thing
you would consider is joining a group with a bunch of other people with similar
issues. Group therapy seems like
the last resort to consider. It
might even cause you more anxiety to consider such a treatment. (long
thoughtful pause) Before you dismiss group therapy either for yourself or a
friend, take a few moments to find out why group therapy might be beneficial
for you and yours.
Oftentimes when someone has problems there is a desire to go
hide. You might feel embarrassed
or ashamed that others would know the extent and intensity of what you are
going through. This is natural to
withdraw away from people. I know
when you have anxiety, you try to control as many parts of your life as possible
in order to keep anxious feelings to a minimum and when you have a child who
currently is hard to parent you might feel overwhelmed and too many voices just
might push you over the edge.
Resist this urge to isolate from people because it more often than not
leads to more of the same struggles or worse. In fact, all of the journals and research confirm with one
loud voice, isolating or withdrawing only perpetuates these problems and delays
your recovery.
Group therapy is an intentionally constructed safe place to
work through specific problems.
Did you know that if you go to group therapy you do not have to talk?
Until you feel more comfortable, you can simply pass the conversation to others
in the group. No matter what, you
will be sitting with people who have similar issues and the strategies and
stories you hear from them will most likely encourage and instruct you.
In scripture, there are a whole bunch of verses called the
‘one another’ passages. These
verses give powerful advice for health and recovery. What they suggest is that recovery is a process most effective
when it is done Together. The writer of the book of James says, ‘confess one to
another…and you will be healed.’
Together with likeminded strugglers, shows you that you are not alone in
your struggle. Together with
likeminded strugglers focuses more brain power on your concerns. Finally, therapy Together with others,
makes getting help more affordable.
Groups are small, confidential and customized to the
specific problems of the people in the group. In these groups, you find support and ideas to help form
effective strategies that you might desperately need. I suggest groups provide (like no other place) that ‘T’
factor—the Together factor which can provide the kind of movement and momentum
you have long desired for in your life.
Over the next month there will be a continuing series of articles about
how this ‘T’ factor can help you and yours. If you want more information on the therapy groups provided
at Heritage Counseling Center, please visit this link or simply call us at
815.577.8970 (option 1).
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