Thursday, January 16, 2025

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Group Therapy Helps Transform Lives

Dr. Judith Coche.

By Dr. Juditch Coche

Dr. Harry Singer, a dentist with offices in Longport, is intent to make his point. “I really don’t think I need to be part of your therapy group, but thanks for thinking of me. After all, most of psychotherapy is about one doctor working with one patient at a time and that works well for me. I think I’ll have enough to do learning from you when I come in alone. And, to be honest, I have so much to do that I can’t imagine how I can find the time to come to group therapy. I hope you understand.”
I smiled and tried to help Harry rethink his bias against taking on a new challenge. “Harry, every couple, and family is a kind of small group. You want to feel more successful as the husband and dad in your family, so it would really help if you worked with a group that will keep everything confidential. There is so much you can learn about how to build the relationships you seek. And the group meets monthly so it is not too hard to schedule. The members are as smart and as sophisticated as you are. I promise.”
The directness of his gaze informed me that he had understood, and was thinking about the validity of my argument.
“Yes, you’re right, of course, but, in all honesty, the group work seems too complex for me to tackle right now. I am shy and cannot imagine learning to speak in public with total strangers all at once. Can you help me?”
His gaze told me that he was interested, if skeptical, that he could learn this skill. “And, how do I know it can work?”
“Yes, of course, I understand.” He deserved a solid answer. “You have all the attributes that predispose you to love being part of one of our groups. You want to help your kids grow to be successful. And you and your wife, Cheryl, are doing well in therapy. It would be great for you to learn when you inadvertently insult people.”
Despite understandable initial anxiety with training, most clients who would benefit from a group love being part of one. Part of my job is to teach them how to be a good member.
Many clients are not advised to do group therapy, but for those who can benefit, it is as effective as individual therapy, less costly, and often more fun for clients.
Like my client Harry, they find it tricky to work in a group. Trainees and clients often worry about these dimensions of learning to work in a group:
• Too many variables. It is hard enough to do individual therapy but a therapy group seems risky.
• Can the group harm patients inadvertently? Unskilled leadership can cause exacerbation of the concerns. Skill and caring are necessary leadership components.
• Difficult member behaviors. One member can spoil the group for the others by being late, complaining incessantly or interrupting others. 
Why bother to learn to be a member of a therapy group? If this treatment modality is so tricky to learn, why bother?
For Harry, who has been working in therapy for two years. the power of a well-led group can tackle problems more quickly and effectively than other treatment. Here are a variety of reasons:
• Feedback: Group members improve from observing others in the group and receiving feedback from group members. For Harry, this “hall of mirrors” can show him the relationship mistakes he is making and can help him correct them.
• Cost: By treating several patients simultaneously, cost is often reduced as much as one-half that of individual treatment and is often covered by insurance. Harry has four kids … this cost reduction can really help.
• Support: Groups provide powerful support that extends to outside the group meeting. Harry can use this support.
• A Hall of Mirrors: Understanding and appreciating the concerns of others creates a mirror for one’s own life. This mirror for the self provides a perspective that invites transformations of unwanted behaviors.
•  A Safe Harbor: Skillful group work provides a neutral space with skillful leadership in which clients can discuss their life-altering concerns. Support and guidance give a member a sense of being part of a powerful team. For Harry, this would be a new chance to grow and take that growth back to his family.
Armed with a more realistic perspective on the value of learning to be in a group, Harry is on his way to deciding whether he will be in a group this fall. For his sake, I hope he does. But this is his decision. 
To consider: Might I benefit from group therapy? Do I know anyone who might benefit from group therapy? If so, how can I get them the needed information about how to find a qualified expert? 
To explore: The website of The American Group Psychotherapy Association. Get lost in learning about the world of groups.  http://www.agpa.org/cgp-certification/.
Dr. Judith Coche is a clinical supervisor in group therapy as well as a clinical psychologist who is licensed. She runs groups for clients monthly at Rittenhouse Square. Contact her through www.cochecenter.com.

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