What is it like being in a weekly analytic therapy group?
Regularity
There is something important about committing to attending the group weekly for as long as you need to be there, even when you don’t feel like attending. This experience, even without you being aware of it, becomes beneficial by its regularity. There is a feeling of stability.
Freedom of expression and respect for others
You enter the group room and take any of the seats in the circle. The other group members will be there too. The group starts when the group therapist enters the room and takes a seat.
As discussed before starting in group there is no agenda. You have been encouraged to say whatever is on your mind. The group therapist is there to facilitate this process. It takes time for trust to build in the group and for it to become easier to engage in the process. The group members respect the importance of confidentiality.
Learning from each other
ou may discover you have issues in common with the other group members. There is often significant learning and understanding when you recognise in yourself what it is that irritates you about another group member. You may also discover that others experience the world in a different way, or have different experiences. This is useful to provide perspective and learning. The group therapist encourages you to talk about these feelings and experiences in the group to see if, and how, they link with each group member’s experiences. In time, you may notice that it becomes easier to tolerate everyday frustrations, disappointments and anger.
Roles in group
You may recognise the role you take up in group. Is it beneficial or not? What is the motivation behind it? The group process attempts to go below the surface of the experience of the ‘here and now’ in the group, to explore the meanings of what is happening.
Even when there is silence, this has a meaning. If the group remains silent, the group therapist encourages the group to think and express what is being evoked at that moment.
Over time, you will become aware of your own characteristic way of relating. You can explore other ways of relating to authority figures and group members so that you become more flexible and responsive.
Helping you to manage relationships
The group provides ongoing support as change occurs. Because the group members relate to each other in the ‘here and now’, you can rework difficulties experienced in the past, and in present relationships.
In time, you may notice that you are less affected and upset by other people’s anxiety and stress. This puts you in a better position to support others, to feel able for life’s challenges, to enjoy simple things with less anxiety, and change or improve how you manage relationships in your life.
Find out more
Read about one person’s experience as published in The Guardian Newspaper ‘A problem shared‘.