by Susan Amaya | May 25, 2019 | Group Therapy, Mental Health, Overcoming Anxiety, Teenagers, Uncategorized
Group Therapy and Your Teen
Group therapy can be life-changing for your teen. Teens face unique challenges in today’s society. They are also influenced most by their peers. This is why peer group therapy is so effective in assisting teens with depression, anxiety, and societal issues. 56 studies over a 20-year period, reported in the Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, reports that group therapy was proven more effective with children and teenagers than other forms of therapy. Often, parents are not equipped to be the sole source of support and teens need support outside of the home. Rekindled Hope’s group for teens provides a safe place for teens to attend sessions with peers, and led by a Masters level therapist. The group will help teens feel supported while they gain confidence, address relevant topics, and seek personal growth.
Benefits of group therapy with teens
- Feel supported and validated by their peers
- Observe the progress of others
- Improved self-esteem and confidence
- Overcome issues
- Give strength to one another
- Real talk about real issues
- Accountability
- Learn new strategies and coping skills
- Positive social interaction
- Learn about themselves
- Build peer relationships
When depression or anxiety develop in the teen years, it can stick around and become a lifelong struggle. Always consult your child’s doctor about concerning emotional issues.
Group therapy provides therapists with the rare opportunity to see teenagers social problems in action. Shyness, bullying, inattentiveness, fearfulness, social anxieties are a few of the tendencies that emerge in group. A skilled group therapist catches these reactions in the moment and helps teens to overcome bad habits and make new choices. Adults do not usually understand the anxiety and fears that teens face today. Allowing teens time with their peers to address relevant issues will bring positive change to your family overall. Group therapy can be life-changing for your teen! I cannot stress this enough!
by Susan Amaya | Apr 20, 2019 | Group Therapy, Mental Health
The Many Benefits of Group Therapy
There are many benefits to group therapy. Group therapy is an ideal choice for addressing your issues and making positive changes in your life. A group setting can be intimidating, however, participants quickly become comfortable as they open up. Most people are surprised to discover they enjoy the group and participants report that they are very satisfied with the experience. Some examples of therapy groups are teens, cancer patients, bereavement, divorce, parenting children with disabilities, addiction, abuse recovery, and betrayal recovery. Kendra Cherry gives a great overview of group therapy in her article on https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-group-therapy-2795760. Below are some of the many benefits to joining a group therapy session.
Group Therapy Builds Community
A benefit of group therapy is the building of community. Communities are important because they provide support to individuals who are impacted by the same issues of daily stress. As human beings, we need a sense of belonging. No one likes to feel isolated and alone. Groups remove isolation, therefore, creating a network of people dealing with the same struggles.
Perspectives Change
Another benefit of group therapy is the realization of other perspectives. Different personalities and backgrounds bring different perspectives. Often, people are forced into a situation that is out of their control. Group therapy is a good place to address these issues. Members of the group cannot change what happened, however, they can offer different perspectives. Sharing helps others cope, learn and grow. There is power in a group coming together and sharing different perspectives.
Support Reduces Depression and Anxiety
One of the most important benefits of group therapy is the support it creates. Research has proved that having a support system has many positive benefits. These benefits include better coping skills and a healthier life. The social support from group therapy can reduce depression and anxiety. Group therapy sessions are helpful in reducing stress, confusion, fear and isolation that has been produced by life changing events. The social support of a group builds people up during times of stress, often giving them the strength to carry on. Being surrounded by people who are caring and supportive allows people to find hope. Group therapy is motivating. Members encourage each other to make healthy choices. Support is vital when facing some of life’s toughest challenges.
