Why we think groups are so great!
By Jo
If you’ve been following us for a little while now, you might have read that at The Social Confidence Collective we run social groups to help young people feel more confident to be around others.
The three of us Occupational Therapists grew to learn about the power of group interventions when we worked together facilitating groups in a youth mental health service. Groups were a core part of the recovery process for many of the young people we supported. It was always inspiring watching them build up their social confidence and connections whilst also having fun playing a game of pool, cooking up a storm or shooting hoops on a basketball court.
Whilst we LOVE group interventions, we recognise that some of you might have a few questions like:
“what’s so good about group therapy?”
“how could groups help me?”
“what’s the difference between group therapy and other groups?”
So, we’re here today to give you the low down on why we (and some other really smart academic people) think groups are so great!
Mental health clinicians have known about the healing powers of group therapy for over 50 years. Back in the late 1960’s, a couple of experienced group therapists (Irvin Yalom & Molyn Leszcz) got together and published a model about what it is about groups that actually help people. In their book The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy they talked about the “Curative Factors” of groups. Now this book is ace, but it’s also really quite long, so to save you all precious time – here’s info about the most relevant “Curative Factors” so you can learn a bit more about how groups might be able to help.
Groups can help us feel less alone. The very nature of experiencing anxiety in social situations means that we tend to avoid being social to make the anxiety go away, but then we often feel isolated and lonely, which in turn can affect our mood. Coming along to a group with other people who also lack confidence in being around others, who get what it is like to feel this kind of anxiety, means we can share our experiences so we don’t feel like we’re dealing with these challenges all by ourselves.
Groups help us learn from each other. Often in individual therapy we rely on our therapists to suggest strategies to help us manage our anxiety, but what is great about groups is we can pick up tips from each other. There’s something really powerful about learning strategies from peers that encounter the same challenges – the people who really get it!
Groups can help us build confidence by helping others. When we chat to other group members about our experiences, strategies and learnings we have opportunities to provide support and help to others who might be having a tricky time. Many people get a confidence boost or feel good about being able to help another person out.
Groups allow us a safe and supportive space to practice how we want to be in social situations. Whilst in your 1:1 therapy you might be talking about strategies to manage social anxiety, or about how to communicate confidently or advocate for your needs, in that setting you don’t really get the opportunity to practice these skills in a real social setting. At The Social Confidence Collective, our groups provide that social opportunity to practice, develop and reflect on these strategies. What’s even better is you get the support of two experienced Occupational Therapists in the group each week to help you to feel safe to try out some new things.
Groups can help us feel hopeful that things can change for us - if we want them to! In a group, we can watch the way others grow and build up their confidence. As we watch change in action, we can feel encouraged and inspired by others. What’s even more fun, is that we get to celebrate together.
So, in a nutshell there’s lot about groups that can be helpful! But in order for the factors listed above to happen, it’s important to attend a therapeutic group program that is facilitated by experienced group therapists. So, whilst we are all for you joining your local council youth group or sporting team (don’t get us wrong, we think they’re great too!) it can be helpful for many people who lack social confidence to get tailored, safe, therapeutic support from experienced clinicians who understand the awesomeness of groups.
If you’d like to chat further about how groups might be able to help you, please contact us at hello@socialconfidencecollective.com.au to arrange a free 30minute chat.
In case you’d like to read that really long book by Yalom and Lezczc, here’s the reference:
Yalom, I.D. & Lezczc, M (1967). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy. Hachette Book Group. NY, USA.