Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which several patients discuss their problems with a licensed therapist. Licensed therapists can provide constructive feedback about maladaptive behavior. Let us know “Group Therapy Discussion Questions”
Group Therapy Discussion Questions
While there are different types of group therapy, discussion can involve a series of questions, depending on the niche. Some may target the coping mechanism towards the trauma/event, and some may develop relapse prevention strategies. Here are some of the questions you may come across while in group therapy-
- How well have you responded to your addiction triggers in the past? Do you recognize any patterns?
- Name some of the things you are grateful for in your life. Why?
- What coping mechanisms have you been using off late? Give an example.
What is therapy?
The main aim of therapy is to provide a safe space for the psychological and emotional well-being of the problematic towards better healing.
When does a person seek therapy?
When they cannot perform daily basic routine tasks without forcing themselves to do it. A person can seek therapy after an unfortunate event or loss causing PTSD. There are many forms of trauma. Therapy just opens up all the traumatic events and systematically removes them individually.
Consider your brain to be a bin of crushed paper balls. A therapist opens each paper ball and places them neatly as sheets.
Is group therapy different from the therapy explained?
According to Sullivan, one reaches the point of becoming aware of interpersonal relationships when the ultimate state of mental health is acquired and vice versa.
Group therapy enables growth-oriented interpersonal experience.
Consider that you are in group therapy for anxiety related to bullying. You will be put together with a few people under the same spectrum. Now, each one’s reason for being bullied would be different. Group therapy renders everyone as equal. It is essentially a sharing session, a no-judgment zone.
What can one expect in group therapy?
It is a bonding session with a therapist and strangers sharing a unique story. Each one’s story is a lesson for the other. You can expect a question asked by the therapist, and each one will share their response. The whole session goes on the same way.
Each situation or reason for therapy has a set of questions common to all, while some are situation-specific.
Some of the common questions expected are
- What is your coping mechanism?
- How have these mechanisms been helping you?
- Name a few things you love about yourself and why?
- Is there anyone you are struggling to forgive?
- How far have you come in practicing self-care?
- Do you ever blame yourselves for what happened to you?
- Do you ever compare yourself to other people? Do you think it is harmful?
- How much alone time are you giving yourselves every day? Do you wish to devote more time to self-care?
- What are the things you are very proud of in yourselves?
- Name three bad habits which you wish to replace with good ones. Why do you feel they are bad habits for you?
- How far have you come since the day you joined this group?
- Discuss the goals you have achieved in this path of recovery
- What makes you angry? How do you manage your anger?
- How do you think your negative thoughts affect your behavior?
- How often do you get intrusive thoughts? How do you manage to tone them down?
Group therapy sessions are conducted in the form of support groups too. They focus on several queries depending on what the core issue is.
Here are some group session topics that can convince you or give insight into whether group therapy is worth trying.
The whole idea of taking therapy is speaking to a professional regarding problems. You should not discard the idea of going to therapy just because of topics you do not wish to open up about in the session. It is okay to let your therapist know what you are comfortable with and what you do not prefer.
What types of counseling groups are there?
The types are classified based on what issues need resolution.
Family issues
Family connections can be among the most challenging ones we experience in life. Group therapy sessions can reassure us that we’re not alone. Topics addressed in these sessions may be related to the following-
- Parent-child interactions
- Sibling interactions
- Abandonment issues
Substance abuse
These may include the following-
- Setting routines
- Donning skills and need for support
- Building and improving relationships with people.
- Addiction recovery
- Addressing peer-to-peer perspective or as an illness that affects the person
Mental Health conditions
- Coping mechanisms
- Acceptance of the condition
- Learning to set boundaries.
- Development of self-confidence and self-worth
- Noticing trigger responses
Emotional wellness
(ability to navigate the stress in your life in a positive way)
- Be more mindful and have a positive outlook on life.
- Fixing sleep habits
- Coping with loss
Grief
Topics focussed on in these sessions can include denial, acceptance, anger, guilt, Moving on, Coping mechanism
Criminal behavior
Cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven effective for people seeking a therapist after a criminal offense. The topics covered may include- critical and moral reasoning, self-control, and anger management
Divorce
Dealing with a divorce can be painful. Some of the topics covered are-
- Divorce Depression
- Practicing social skills
- Loneliness, forgiveness
Trauma
Sexual assault, bullying, Physical abuse, mental abuse, Anxiety, depression, forgiveness
Domestic abuse
Rebuilding social connections, learning to accept and love yourself more, Understanding financial freedom, fear and isolation, fear of what people may say, etc
Phobias
Approached using exposure therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. Topics are-
- Understanding the causes and different phobias
- Empowerments and sharing even the tiniest of achievements
- Anxiety reduction skills
- Record keeping
Self-care
Weight and body image- acceptance, positive outlook, learning to identify and conquer different triggers.
Anger management
There are step-by-step procedures for anger management sessions.
- Resolutions of conflicts
- Stress management and effective communication
- Understanding communication and donning social skills
In conclusion
group therapy is a platform for getting self-help. You learn to handle different situations leading to a happy life and good mental health.
