Group Counseling

“As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence actually liberates others.”
–Marianne Williamson

Most of the hurt you experience in life happens in relationships with others.

Maybe a parent or caregiver was intrusive and violated your boundaries.

…If someone was critical and exacting, you never felt good enough. Now you avoid relationships out of fear of being judged or shamed.

…If someone made you their surrogate spouse, you felt burdened and had to act like an adult as a child. Now you feel overly responsible for how other people feel and struggle to have fun, play, and enjoy life.

…If someone falsely empowered you with messages like, “you’re the only one who understands me,” or “you’re the one who helps me cope.” Now you are dependent on others to elevate you constantly, so you feel loved and good enough.

“As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence actually liberates others.”
–Marianne Williamson

Maybe a parent or caregiver was withdrawn and absent.

…If someone constantly worked to provide and was never home. Now you’re in a relationship with a workaholic that doesn’t have time for you and your family.

…If someone abandoned you, either by leaving you or through a divorce. Now people tell you that you’re too needy and clingy, or you don’t let anyone get close out of a fear of them leaving.

…If someone never noticed your needs and you felt overshadowed. Now you feel invisible and have relationships where you don’t feel seen and heard.

Maybe you lost a parent or caregiver you loved dearly.

…If someone died and you didn’t get a chance to say goodbye and grieve the love you lost. Now you have anxiety and worry bad things will happen that you can’t control, and don’t trust good times to last.

…If someone died and you lost the love and support they gave you. Now you don’t let yourself depend on anyone out of fear they will let you down, and/or you won’t let anyone depend on you.

The hurt that is caused in relationships is best healed in relationships.

We can’t heal in isolation. We need a safe and loving space where we experience connection.

Group counseling is even more effective than individual counseling for this!

Whatever pain you experienced growing up in your family, that was your first group experience.

Joining a safe and supportive group to explore these issues can be deeply corrective and healing because the group can give you the resources and support you didn’t get in your family.

More on why group counseling is so effective at healing…

You were born to connect and be part of a group. This is your true nature.

Everything in the natural world exists in relationships and is part of a greater system. You are part of nature. You are meant to be in relationships that support you, so you feel a part of the world and know that your presence matters.

Group Counseling allows you to experience this.

You receive empathy and compassion from a group of people who want to support you.

Healing happens when our pain is witnessed in a safe and loving space, and we receive the resources we needed when we were hurt. A group has the power to do this for you.

When you meet other people with similar issues, you feel understood and realize you are not alone.

When you’ve been hurt in past relationships, you may think it’s your fault. This can lead to isolation where you don’t share your pain with others. Becoming isolated just makes you feel lonelier, like a misfit who doesn’t belong. It’s a relief to realize other people have experienced similar hurts, and there isn’t anything wrong with you because you feel this way. This recognition helps you release shame and liberates you from self-blame.

When someone in a group heals from an issue you both share, it creates this possibility for you, too.

Witnessing and supporting another group member in their healing journey creates new neural pathways in your brain that allow you to believe this is possible for you, too. You experience hope and have the courage to make positive changes.

The collective energy of the group accelerates your healing.

There is healing power in the collective energy of a group. Think of what happens when you are at a concert and so many people around you are focused on the music they love. You can feel an energy that is stronger than if you were just singing alone. The same thing happens in a group that comes together with the intent to heal and grow. The collective presence of all its members can heal deep issues that have been holding you back for years.

You can make lasting connections and lifelong friends!

We are meant to be in relationships and live in community. When you feel safe, and the group’s guidelines reinforce every member’s dignity, value, and presence, you connect with others authentically and genuinely, free of the masks we often wear to hide who we are.

Group counseling provides an environment that fosters friendship. And if your family of origin was painful, you can make connections in a group that help you create your own spiritual family. Some of these relationships last long after a group, and the bond you share may be as powerful as any you experienced in the family you were born into.

Here’s what group counseling looks like…

We’ll start by having an individual session to learn more about you, answer questions you have about the group process, and make sure you feel comfortable.

Groups last 90 days and meet once a week for 1.5-2 hours. There are 8-12 members in a group, and once it starts, the group is closed until the end of the 90 days. You will have the option to renew your commitment for the next 90 days. Most participants stay in group for a while because they find it healing.

Each group session starts with every member checking in. This includes how you’re feeling and if there is anything you’d like to address during this session. Some weeks, you may not have much to share, which is fine. But you always contribute to the initial check-in. I call this part of the session a “group soup” because everyone contributes their own special ingredient.

Topics for groups include:

Increasing Self-Esteem
Healing Trauma
Overcoming Addictive Behaviors
Exploring the Connection Between Emotional and Physical Pain
Discovering Your Creative Gifts and Talents
Healing What’s Keeping You Stuck
Boundaries and Learning to Say No
Accessing the Light Inside of You to Use for Good in the World Outside of You.
Forgive For Good.

Learn more about the techniques we use in group counseling at My Approaches.