Why do people seek therapy?
What if I don't know if group therapy is right for me?
Why are you a Fee for Service provider? Why don't you take other insurance plans?
- People come into therapy for many reasons. Some want guidance, some need to respond to unexpected
changes in their lives and others seek self-exploration and personal growth. They tend to be at various
stages of acceptance and motivation for change and are generally hoping for a sense of resolve and
improved management of their circumstance. When coping skills are overwhelmed by guilt, doubt,
anxiety, or despair, therapy can help. Therapy can provide support, problem-solving skills, and
enhanced coping for issues such as depression, anxiety, lack of confidence, relationship troubles,
unresolved childhood issues, bereavement, spiritual conflicts, stress management, body image issues,
and creative blocks. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions,
work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.
- Group therapy is a supportive therapeutic process in which a small number of people come together
under the guidance of a professionally trained therapist(s) to help themselves. Generally the group is
comprised of non-related individuals who are similar in age, gender or presenting problem. The
interactions among the clients are considered to be therapeutic, hence the name, group therapy.
- A number of benefits are available from participating in group therapy. Often it is helpful just to know
that someone understands. Therapy can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you
in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the
process and practice the skills you've learned. Some people have told us that:
- It’s a comfortable way to ‘try’ treatment before engaging in individual therapy
- You feel like you’re not alone
- You feel a sense of belonging since others in the group tend to share similar experiences
- You feel understood by virtue of others sharing similar experiences
- You have access to multiple perspectives
- You have an opportunity to give and receive feedback from your peers
- You experience increased motivation to work harder at change
- And this can lead to:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself and your personal goals and values
- Getting "unstuck" from unhealthy patterns - breaking old behaviors and developing new ones
- Managing anger, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Finding new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Discovering new ways to solve problems
- Practicing new skills in a safe environment
- Improving communications skills, learning how to listen to others, have others listen to you and
practice interpersonal skills - Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
- Increasing empathy
- Gaining new perspectives
- At Group Therapy Associates we understand the value of individual therapy. It is an important service
and we are glad to see the growing number of licensed professionals opening practices in our area. Most
personal problems are interpersonal in nature. Very often they stem from our relationships or from our
personal patterns of relating. Group therapy offers the rare opportunity to explore and understand how
you relate to others and get specific feedback on how others react to you.
The lessons group members learn from each other and the chance to work through problems with other
people who share similar concerns are what make groups special. Only in group therapy can you directly
work on how you relate to others. The group environment of trust and safety can help you build the
skills you need to create the same kind of trust and safety in your real life with friends, family, and
intimate partners.
In addition, group therapy often affords clients access to at least two therapists who can provide double
the professional expertise, opinions and approaches. Often it is helpful just to know that these
therapists are there to provide support so that existing in isolation no longer has to be your burden.
- Sometimes people worry that group therapy will take longer than individual therapy, because they have
to share the time with others. However group can be more efficient than individual therapy at times
and also serve as an important component of individual treatment. You can benefit from the group even
during sessions when you say very little by listening carefully to others. Often you'll find that you have
much in common with other group members, and as they work on a concern, you can learn more about
yourself. Additionally, group members will often bring up issues that you might not have been aware of
or brought up yourself but which you find important to explore. In this way, group can be a catalyst for
progress in therapy that might have taken longer when working one-on-one with an individual therapist.
Group therapy is time limited and short term, generally 8-12 weeks. Within this structured time line,
group often progresses at a faster pace than individual therapy. The structured format is also more
conducive to presentations and other educational components that can help you to learn more about a
particular issue or diagnosis such as depression or ADD. For many people this is a comfortable way to
"try" therapy while learning more about a particular issue.
- And group therapy is cost effective in comparison individual treatment. Group therapy costs between
$45 - $95 per session and sessions often last 1.5 to 2 + hours depending on the participants age. The
average cost for individual or couples therapy is $115 -$155 per 50-minute session.
- During sessions you are expected to talk and listen. A session can last 50 minutes to 2 hours depending
on the age and nature of the group. One of the key elements of "successful" group therapy is group
cohesion. This simply means that the group gels and develops its own unique dynamic. This process
takes time to occur and so participating in group therapy requires a commitment to at least 6 weeks
and sometimes up to 12 or 15 weeks.
During the time between sessions it is beneficial to think about and process what was discussed. At
times, you may be asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a
relevant book or keeping records. For therapy to "work," you must be an active participant, both in and
outside of the therapy sessions.
What if I don't know if group therapy is right for me?
- Sometimes we have clients join a group only to find that it does not meet their current needs. If you
aren't sure what your goals are for therapy, your first task is to figure that out. We are happy to provide
an initial consultation (please see Services) to help clarify your current situation and make
recommendations for treatment. Many times people are dealing with difficult situations but are unsure
if therapy is necessary or will be helpful to them. Our consultation service are an excellent opportunity
to explore those issues and make an informed decision about how best to deal with your life's
challenges. During a consultation, your therapist will listen and ask you questions to understand the
specific issues which led you to consider therapy as well as a cursory exploration of your relationships,
work/school, and social life.
In addition to consultations, we offer assessment services. Assessments are 2 hours long and culminate
with a written summary of your therapist’s evaluation of your overall well-being and specific treatment
and self-care recommendations. This service is best suited for those who have already decided that
therapy is right for them and are looking for help in planning their ongoing care.
- Group Therapy Associates accepts most Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Check with your
specific plan to determine your benefit eligibility. We offer what is called Fee for Service, which means
you are expected to pay your fee (or co-pay) at the time of service. We are happy to provide our clients
with the necessary documentation to submit claims to their insurance company and/or Flexible
Spending Account.
Why are you a Fee for Service provider? Why don't you take other insurance plans?
- We have found that by eliminating the insurance paperwork at our office, we have more time to focus
on what is most important; our clients. Finding a licensed therapist with whom you feel comfortable
can often be a trying experience. So for some people, the ability to choose any therapist, without the
limitations of an insurance company is worthwhile. There are many insurance plans that will reimburse
their clients a percentage of their expenses when they see an out-of-network provider. Some reimburse
up to 80%. For example, if you have a $25 co-pay, it would cost you almost the same amount to see a
therapist that charges $115 a session if you’re being reimbursed at 80% as it would to see an in-network
provider and pay the co-pay. We recommend that you can call your insurance company and ask about
their out-of-network policy. Be sure to ask if there are differences between their coverage for group
therapy and individual therapy.
- Unfortunately some insurance companies do not cover group therapy sessions. In these situations we
encourage clients to consider using their Flexible Spending Accounts. These are employer provided
accounts where money is taken from your check before taxes and is available for use on certain health
care expenses. In almost all circumstances therapy is a covered expense. Check with your employer to
see if this is available to you. We also offer some discounts for those willing to pay for their therapy in
blocks (e.g. 2 payments, 4 weeks apart for an 8-week group).
- The rules of confidentiality DO NOT change in a group therapy setting. Members are afforded the
right to privacy and are expected to respect the privacy of other group members. In general, the law
protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. You may be
familiar with HIPAA regulations from your general doctor or other medical provider. Therapists are
expected to uphold those same standards. Information is not disclosed without written permission from
the client. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
Exceptions include:
- Suspected abuse of a child, dependant adult, or senior. The therapist is required by law to report this to
the appropriate authorities immediately. - If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s. The therapist must notify the police
and inform the intended victim. - If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to enlist their
cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, further measures may be taken without
their permission in order to ensure their safety. You can also visit our Registration Forms page to
download our Privacy Policy for review.
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| Looking for more information? Visit our new blog, Therapy Notes |
| Group Therapy Associates compassionate mental health care for couples, adolescents, & families |
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