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Barry's Corner


October 2008

Most students approach our suggestion of group therapy with a nervous eyed, reluctant look of worry. It was hard enough just to come to CMHS in the first place; it would be even harder to go to a group of other students and share my personal story. Why then do we recommend group therapy so often? Surely we know that most students initially come expecting individual therapy. After all, individual gives the entire hour to focus just on you, it gives you one-on-one attention, and gives you a private office to share your deepest, inner most concerns. So, if individual is what is initially expected, why would we recommend group therapy?

Alright, well, a little enlightenment then about group and why we mental health professionals know it to often be the best therapy option. The first thing we know is that we all work, live, socialize, and grow up in groups. Similarly, most of the troubles that students come to CMHS with are a result of conflicts and troubles that occurred in relationships with others. So, if we do most everything in groups and our troubles often stem from problems in relationships, then seeking solutions and corrective experiences would best happen in groups, in relationship with others.

With that said, this is now the part where I suppose to bore you with statistics about group effectiveness. But, let's pass on that. Suffice it to say that while most students initially don't expect group, over 90% stay with group once they've attended it, for the entirety of their time with CMHS. But, whatever! What's more compelling about group is this.

Group therapy is truly that one place to ask others the question so often on our minds which are, "What am I like?" "What is it like to be with me?" "How do you really see me?" Questions we always want to ask others, but the people in our lives are usually not able to give us a truly honest response as it is too risky to say such bold truths. In group, you can truly ask those questions of others and you will get answers. Scary, but also awesome! Group also uniquely allows us to feel "not alone" when we are struggling. There is something quite comforting knowing others struggle just like we do which goes a long way towards not feeling too crazy. It is finally quite curative to have others who are working on making themselves better start to care about us, follow our story, ask us questions about ourselves, and work to not only make themselves better, but help us get better, too. Heck, as I lay it all out here, it looks pretty darn good, doesn’t it!?

So, that's the abridged scoop on group (hey, that rhymes). It is really the choice for help when you come to CMHS. So, be aware of group as an option for yourself, and a pretty darn good one at that. Also, check out our website on group by clicking here where you can find even more info and an updated listing of our group offerings. You are more than welcomed to scope it out yourself. Feel free to ask your therapist about group as he or she would be glad to refer you. Alrighty, that's it on that. As always, feel free to get in touch with me with any questions, concerns, or compliments. Just click here to send me an email!

 
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