Many people wonder if group addiction counseling is as effective and efficient as a one-on-one with a professional.
Here’s the breakdown:
What is group counseling?
Group counseling typically convenes up to ten people within the same session. A certified, professional leader—typically a therapist or counselor—will moderate the sessions. These sessions can range from delving into each individual’s past to discussing how addiction affects their relationships, lifestyles, and choices. The mission of group therapy is to bring people together in an open conversation about addiction, show attendees that they are not alone, offer strategic life management tools, and build self-esteem.
Why choose group counseling?
Group counseling allows people to share their stories in a safe environment and establish trust alongside a feeling of relatability to others going through similar experiences. This sense of “not feeling alone in your struggle” is an effective way to motivate attendees to begin the healing process. New perspectives and networks can also motivate group members to make healthy choices and support each other throughout their recovery.
For people who worry about personality clashes, sharing uncomfortable personal stories, hostile comments, or social phobias, group counseling can seem daunting. But with a trained therapist leading the group discussion, it’s typically a positive and constructive experience for all attendees. A trained moderator knows how to guide the conversation towards everyone’s benefit and won’t allow a single participant, comment, or storyline to dominate the experience.
If you’re considering group therapy for addiction recovery, speaking with a professional therapist or counselor is a good first step and can help alleviate some of the confusion that is sometimes associated with group counseling processes.
Turning Point of Tampa’s goal is to always provide a safe environment and a solid foundation in 12-Step recovery, in tandem with quality individual therapy and groups. We have been offering Licensed Residential Treatment in Tampa since 1987.
