Getting Started:
Groups can be structured in two main ways: "slow open groups", where members join and leave over time while the group continues, or "short-term groups", which run for a defined period of time.
Joining a group analytic therapy group typically begins with an individual meeting with me to assess if group therapy is a good fit for you and whether the group that is running will be beneficial to you. This is because attention is paid to the composition of the group by balancing similarities and differences between prospective group members to create an environment within which change can occur.
Once it's agreed that the group is a good fit, there might be a period of preparation before you actually join. This would involve individual therapy sessions or some introductory information about the group's way of working.
Expectation:
Group analytic therapy is typically a longer-term process, allowing for deep exploration of relational patterns and personal growth. For this reason, consistent weekly attendance is essential for building trust and continuity within the group, and maintaining strict confidentiality is crucial, with all members expected to respect the privacy of what is shared.
Slots for short term group therapy opening soon.
Group analytic therapy brings together a small group of individuals (up to 8 members) with the therapist/ facilitator, to explore personal challenges within a relational and interpersonal context. This approach understands that our challenges often arise from how we connect with others, and focuses on exploring your understanding of yourself within a social setting.
You can anticipate a process of shared exploration, where observing your own and others' interactions, especially as they unfold in the 'here and now' of our sessions, offer valuable insights into your relational patterns. It's normal to take some time to feel comfortable, but through open discussion and feedback, you can gain new perspectives, feel a sense of shared experience, and learn more effective ways of relating to people in your life.
In sessions, you'll engage in open conversations with fellow group members, initially strangers. My role is to guide this process by highlighting communication patterns and interactions as they emerge, allowing for a living exploration of these dynamics.