About Our Services
Steps Recovery Center recognizes how vital the mind, body, and spirit are in their connection to the whole person. We take a holistic approach to treating opiate addiction that includes treating the whole person, and find that it tends to be more successful, especially since addiction affects every aspect of a person’s life. With a customized and individualized program that includes family therapy, a holistic approach just makes sense. It affords an opportunity to meet the patient’s physical and psychological needs and allows them to engage physically, emotionally, and mentally.
What Are Group Therapy Programs?
Addiction recovery facilities often employ a group therapy program that can be especially helpful to patients. These programs are directed by a psychologist who leads a group of between 5 and 15 people. Typically, the group meets for an hour or two weekly, with some attending individual therapy in addition to the group meeting. Others may participate in groups only.
Group therapy programs often focus on a specific problem that includes substance abuse, mental health disorders, chronic pain, and obesity. They can also target social skills and help people with a range of issues, such as shyness, anger, loneliness, and low self-esteem and worth. These groups can also center around those who have experienced loss, whether it’s from a spouse, child, or someone who committed suicide.
Group Therapy Benefits
People may feel uncomfortable talking to strangers about their feelings and emotions, especially if they have issues with social anxiety. However, groups who are going through something similar as the person can help them feel relatable and connected. Groups add a sounding board and support system that can help come up with ideas or suggestions for a life challenge or difficult situation. Other benefits include
- Putting your problems in perspective – When other people suffer from mental health or substance abuse challenges and never say anything, you may feel like you’re alone in your struggle. When you can reach out to other members of the group, it helps you feel validated and more willing to open up yourself.
- Diversity – People who have different backgrounds, personalities, and environments help others know and look at situations differently. By seeing how other people work through their challenges and make positive changes is a great motivator.
- Can help propel you forward – Hearing how other people in the group are winning their fight against substance abuse or mental health problems is a powerful incentive. Patients will often push themselves harder when they see others succeeding.
- Costs less than individual therapy – People may think just because it costs less, it’s not as effective, which isn’t true at all. Group therapy can be extremely powerful and rewarding.
- Promote social skills – Again, you might feel uncomfortable talking with strangers about your life. Still, studies show that after therapy, people strengthen their social skills and make friends, sometimes for a lifetime.
- Teaches you about yourself – This is probably the most significant benefit to group therapy programs. Every person in the group holds up a mirror, and you get to see through their eyes. It helps you and them to take off the blinders, reserve judgments, and practice empathy. It’s also a way of uncovering the blind spots that could be blocking your ability to succeed with substance abuse or mental health recovery.
Getting the Most from Group Therapy
Taking the following steps can help you get the most from group therapy:
- Take a pledge. Counselors should have each member of the group sign a contract that spells out the expectations of the group. Doing so can help you overcome any fear about participating in the therapy.
- Participate. This might seem like a no-brainer, but there will be days you don’t feel like chatting, which is fine. Still, the more you participate, the more benefit you will see.
- Share. You never know when what you say to the group may have a considerable impact on an individual struggling. Plus, when you help others, you feel good, and it can perpetuate a cycle that yields excellent results.
Group therapy programs are a great way to help those in addiction or mental health recovery. When done healthily, it can make a huge impact on individuals and form great friendships in the process.
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