Group therapy? (could be mildly triggering)

[-Shae-Lynn*]

I had an appointment with my Social worker today and she suggested that along with the individual councelling that I also do group therapy. It's been suggested that I have Borderline personality disorder, but because I wasn't 18 when I saw the psych they couldn't make an official diagnosis. I've been cutting a long with other forms of SI for 3.5/4 years and have over-dosed many times to varying degrees.

I don't like talking about all that though, even with my Social worker. I hate having that attention. She thinkks it'll be good for me to be in group therapy though.

Has anyone done it before? What happens in group therapy? Any help would be great!!

[sherlock holmes]

I've done a lot of group therapy. I wont lie, I found it difficult. I'm a fairly quiet person anyway and in a group setting I just clam up. Although it was valuable listening to other people talk about their problems and I felt less alone.

In the group therapy sessions there would be a couple of professionals leading and the rest patients. The patients would talk about anything they wanted and the professionals would help guide the discussion and offer advice when needed.

I would definately give it a go though. When I did manage to speak it was good because I got a lot of feedback and insight. It's good to get other people's perspective on your issues because you can't see everything clearly yourself.

[88shelz]

i attended a social phobia group

it was hard but it did help slightly from time to time.

it depends on how you take things from the group. xxx

[ThinkingofRecovery]

I started attending a 1 day a week therapeutic community about 4 weeks ago. It has been hard but the people there are really nice and we do have alot in common. The idea is that it helps you see your behaviours in other people, learn re boundaries and responsibilities and learn other coping methods. The TC I go to though is from 0930-1530 so not sure if it really classes as group therapy.

btw, I don't do people, talking or groups but I am managing to hang on in there and learning to talk and hope it will be beneficial so please don't dismiss it out of hand.

To be in the TC, the peeps have to have a diagnosis of a personality disorder or be complex needs. I am bpd.

[inblack]

I just finished DBT group and I found it helpful.

I am also very quiet and was extremely nervous about being in group therapy but it wasn't that bad. Lots of people in the group were quiet and it was lead very professionally by two psychologists.

I think every group will be different, and there will be different approaches to the groups depending on the type of therapy.