Group Counseling for Adults Abused as Children

Group Counseling for Adults Abused as Children Group therapy is one of the most effective as well as one of the most tedious and challenging forms of therapy. Group therapy does not replace individual therapy in terms of effectiveness and interpersonal effect, but it does play a significant role in the healing process. It can be used in combination with medication and individual counselling.

Group therapy is very effective for all kinds of psychological disorders, mental health wellness and social or interpersonal disorders. However, one of the most targeted audiences for group therapy are survivors of childhood abuse, childhood trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, for this encapsulates individuals who have faced significant trauma while growing up – effects of which may still linger in their adulthood. Since separation and isolation are the main components of trauma, group therapy targets exactly that by providing a safe environment to correct past emotional experiences that may encompass feelings of self-blame, trust issues and victim blaming.

Support groups allow adults to realize that they’re not alone and this is of primal importance for their recovery. There are two different types of groups for victims of trauma • Homogenous Group: Participants share common grievances or trauma. e.g.: female rape victims • Heterogenous Group: Shared emotional experiences for different individuals who are victims of different kinds of trauma Group counseling helps victims of trauma share their experiences with others who have experienced similar distress. The main characteristics of group counselling are: • Validating an individual’s experiences • Reducing shame that they feel for their experiences • Sharing emotional distress • Providing a safe and bias free environment • Recognizing an individual’s strengths • Taking responsibility for one’s actions • Providing support and understanding Group therapy for adults follows a three-stage model for recovery: • Safe Environment • Remembering, mourning and sharing • Reconnecting

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An individual at group therapy can first accomplish stage one in a homogenous group and can then move to a heterogenous group. They can also accomplish the first and second stage at individual therapy and then move to a heterogenous group for group therapy.

Group therapy is effective for individuals with various personality disorders and those of whom have different defense mechanisms. Personality disorders encompass narcissistic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, dissociative personality disorder or histrionic personality disorder. Individuals can be very different in terms of approach too.

They can be outgoing, shy, aggressive, short tempered, absent minded, social, anti-social etc.

Group therapy is a chance for individuals to realize that they affect others and that they need not be scared about how the world sees or perceives them. Group members support each other during the healing process and empower them to rise above their challenges and become the person they wish to be. This sense of support and encouragement pushes adults who have faced trauma as children to restore their sense of self and rise to the challenge of fixing their thoughts and stop blaming themselves, leave the negative thoughts and memories in the past and live a life that is happy, healthy and free of stress that comes from their past traumatic experiences.

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