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Posted 7/15/2011 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All

I will be starting a six week course of group therapy on Monday which will be focused on anxiety/depression. I am anxious about attending this but feel it will do me some good and hopefully help me out of a hole which im in at the moment.

Has any one had experience of group therapy?

Hibee
Posted 7/15/2011 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Ben,

This sounds like an awesome plan.  I have not but I have no access to group therapy.  I would join in a New York Minute so you go for both of us and let me know how it is.

My therapist suggested Emotions anonymous  which uses a 12 step program.  I googled and found the 12 steps -  oh my this causeed me to feel a bit upset so I won't be joining any group that includes in it's steps:

Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. 

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 

Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

 


Posted 7/15/2011 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt

I will let you know how it goes. I am also in the process of applying for a new job working with children with learning disabilities its only a part time post but if i get the job a step in the right direction.

Ben
Posted 7/15/2011 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Awesome B! I know that you will get the job! As for the group therapy, I have only been in family therapy...so a pretty small and familiar group! I know we do have some members who have done this, so hopefully they'll be around with some input.

I think that after your initial meeting, you will feel really good about going, and may find it the best thing for your recovery yet! I would look for a group leader who is encouraging, but not pushy...this is your treatment and you should only talk/share when you are comfortable in doing so. Otherwise, listening to others and joining in when you are ready should be a good plan:)

I am so happy for you and proud of all that you have come through, and how you are dealing with it.

You ROCK!
S.C.
Posted 7/15/2011 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi S.C

Cheers for the reply. I think it will be beneficial will keep you posted. Hope all going well with you?

Ben
Posted 7/16/2011 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hibee,

Hello, I am Serenitee, and in January I completed a 5-month Outpatient Treatment Program. I went 5-days a week all day long. I'm Dual-diagnosed so I would rotate between different Group Sessions. This next week I have an Intake appointment to begin DBT Treatment Program, which lasts 6-12 months.

Personally, i loved group, and I really thrived being apart of the whole group experience. Others that suffer from the same thing is you helps you feel not alone and validated as a person. The more you give in Group the more you will get out of it.

All my best to you, I'm sure you will really enjoy Group.
Your Healingwell Friend,
Serenitee


Dual-Diagnosed, Bipolar 2, Borderline, Manic-Depressive, Anxiety/Panic Disorder, Ptsd
Loop ileostomy in May.
Posted 7/17/2011 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning Ben,

Well tomorrow is the big day !  I will be excited to hear how it goes for you. Of course the first day is always a bit confusing however I know you will give this 100% as you want to feel better.

Just a little reminder, when you're feeling anxious, ask yourself, "Where am I? What am I doing? What day is today? What am I wearing? What color are the walls?" Though they might sound like silly questions, asking them forces the mind to stop and answer each question, which in turn can distract you from the trigger of the anxiety.

 

Blessings my friend,

 

Kitt

Posted 7/17/2011 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Serenitee thanks for your post it is good to here from someone who has had a positive experience with group therapy.

Kitt thanks for the tips I will let you know how I get on.

Ben
Posted 7/17/2011 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
I have participated in two different therapy groups, though neither of them were specifically tailored towards anxiety. Even though anxiety was not the goal of the groups, because my anxiety is caused by being around groups of people, getting to talk to the group and get to know them all did help. It was good to be able to be a little more open about my anxiety and to have other people who at least sympathized (though they did not suffer from anxiety themselves). The therapist who led the groups was really awesome, and she made sure that everyone had a turn to talk when they wanted to (but that no one was forced to talk). I really liked that because usually in any unstructured group setting, I can never seem to get a word in.

These were very good experiences for me, and I hope your experience is similar :) Just think... all of the other people joining the group are just as scared as you!
Posted 7/18/2011 8:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Toutserabon

Good to meet you. Thanks for your post and im glad you have had a positive experience with group therapy and it is nice to hear that. My session is at 2.00pm today and goes on for 2 hours I will let you know how it goes.

Ben
Posted 7/18/2011 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Well went to my first group therapy session today and found it to be a good experience. It looks like it will be CBT based but in a group format rather than an individual basis and I feel I am going to get a lot out of it. There was six in the group so not to many people and the two people running the session were really nice and ran the session well.

Ben
Posted 7/18/2011 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Great news Ben,  I am glad that you feel positive about the group sessions.  I wish I had access to group therapy.

I admire you for your courage in joining the group and I know you will do well.

Gentle Hugs my friend,

Kitt

Posted 7/19/2011 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
Big B takin' it to the next level-yo! ( uh, I may have taught too many hip-hop classed today;)

Actually though, awesome news, and I hope that this is going to be the best experience for you yet.

Any word about the job?

S.C.
Posted 7/19/2011 8:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kitt & SC

Im looking forward to the next few weeks so feeling more positive. Not heard anything back yet about the job hopefully here something back in the next few days.

Ben
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