Group therapy provides an opportunity to learn and receive support from peers in a therapeutic environment designed to help you meet your goals and make change. Where individual therapy offers focused attention from a single professional, group counseling adds the benefit of receiving feedback and support from people with multiple perspectives and experiences.
While the therapist might encourage you to share, you will never be pushed to share beyond your comfort level.
Yes. In many cases, group counseling is a helpful complement to individual therapy.
While the group facilitator will establish group norms with each unique group, in general it is expected that group members maintain confidentiality and commit to showing up for group each week.
The number of sessions varies depending on the nature and purpose of the group, but a group will typically meet anywhere between 4 and 12 sessions. Most groups are 50 minutes long but some groups meet for 90 minutes.
A group can begin with as few as two people and is unlikely to exceed 10 group members.
Most groups will start when the group facilitator has identified enough group members for the group process to be effective. Some groups have set start and end dates.
Regular participation and attendance is an essential part of the change process and is encouraged. However, we know that sometimes life can get in the way. Group appointments should be treated as all other Campus Health appointments and need to be canceled at least two hours in advance.
If you know which group you would like to join, you can call the Counseling Center main number at 504-314-2277 and let the patient representative know which group interests you. If you are already a client at the Counseling Center, you can speak with your individual therapist about group options and they will support you in taking the next steps. You may be asked to participate in a brief “group screening” for the purpose of determining fit and learning more about the group before it begins.
If you are unsure if group is right for you or for general inquiries, please call 504-314-2277 and ask to speak with the Group Coordinator.
