Group Counseling

Group counseling can be a very powerful tool to help address addiction, grief, trauma, and many other behavioral health and everyday challenges. A trained professional therapist will help you and others in a similar situation explore the challenges faced and opportunities for growth and change.  Support is provided not only by the therapist but also the others participating.

At Bayless Healthcare, we are specialists in group counseling and tailor the groups offered to the needs of the community and our patients. Learn more below or schedule an appointment today to get started.

What Are The Different Types Of Group Counseling?

There are many different types of group counseling, but the most common types of group therapy tend to consist of:

● Cognitive therapy groups – Cognitive therapy, also called cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT for short is a type of counseling and therapy that is designed to help people identify, isolate, and change destructive, harmful, or disturbing thought patterns that may negatively affect their lives, behavior, and emotions. It focuses on the open sharing of negative thoughts, practicing new skills, developing coping strategies, setting goals, and problem-solving.

● Psychotherapy groups – Psychotherapy is often called “talk therapy,” because it primarily focuses on spoken interactions between a patient and a therapist. Psychotherapy groups are similar, but with an emphasis on patients discussing their situation among themselves, along with addressing questions and getting guidance directly from a therapist.

● Relapse prevention groups – Voluntary organizations like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are great examples of relapse prevention groups. These groups are intended for those who are suffering from some kind of addiction, whether it’s to a substance like alcohol or drugs, or behavior like gambling or sex. Each person can share stories of their recovery, the struggles they’re dealing with when it comes to their addiction, and their emotions surrounding their recovery.

● Mutual self-help groups – Mutual self-help groups are intended to help people suffering from a similar situation or disease connect, share their stories, and offer support to one another. These groups may be independent in some cases but are usually led by a therapist or counselor.

What Are The Goals Of Group Counseling?

The goals of group therapy can vary depending on the situation, the person, and the reason for which they are seeking therapy. However, they often include the following:

• Empowering individuals to network with others in a similar situation, share their feelings, and get feedback, advice, and information that can help them
• Helping to identify harmful or maladaptive behaviors and coping mechanisms and strategies that can be used to deal with these behaviors
• Providing positive and encouraging feedback to help with emotional difficulties
• Offering individuals an environment that’s welcoming and understanding, with peers who have gone through similar life experiences or suffer from similar challenges
• Reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation
• Setting goals and holding yourself and others accountable as you work towards those goals

Due to its wide variety of applications and effectiveness, group counseling is often recommended for a wide range of issues, including PTSD, disordered eating, grief, emotional regulation, coping, relationship problems, and anxiety, to name just a few.

Contact Bayless Healthcare Today To Explore Our Individual & Group Counseling Options

At Bayless Healthcare, we take a whole-body approach to wellness. We don’t just focus on physical health, but on behavioral health, too. If you believe you could benefit from group counseling in Phoenix, schedule an appointment today.

We’re always happy to welcome new patients into the Bayless family, discuss your situation, and help you understand if group counseling may be right for your situation.