Group Work in Mental Health
Humans are social beings. Like neurons in the brain, people need to work together and exist collectively. They live their lives by being part of different groups. In the field of mental health, the need to live in groups, the reassuring and healing environments that groups provide, and the positive results obtained have led to the widespread adoption of group-based treatment approaches. Alongside theoretical developments and increasing scientific studies on group work, their inclusion in many films and television series and media coverage have made group work widespread, recognized, and accepted practices.
What Are the Different Types of Group Work in Mental Health?
In the field of mental health, there are different types of groups such as psychological counseling groups, psychotherapy groups, interaction groups, guidance groups, psychoeducation groups, experiential groups, self-help groups, support groups, and psychodrama groups. These groups differ in terms of their purposes and functioning.
Psychological counseling groups are healing and problem-focused groups. They are called “Group Psychological Counseling” and these groups aim to develop individuals’ coping mechanisms. Topics such as grief, relationships, and emotional management are addressed.
Psychotherapy groups are therapeutic groups. They aim to treat emotional and behavioral disorders. These groups are generally conducted in hospitals or private clinics. Frequently, homogeneous sessions are created, meaning individuals with similar psychological problems are in the same group. Clients first have individual sessions with the therapist and are then directed to these groups. The therapist’s role varies according to the method used. Different types of group therapy exist, such as Gestalt, brief therapy groups, supportive-expressive, cognitive-behavioral, psychoanalytic, and psychodrama.
Support and self-help groups are groups where a mental health professional is not the group leader, and help within the group is provided by group members. Individuals with similar feelings and experiences share with each other and support one another. Self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous fall into this category. Self-help groups and support groups, while not therapy groups, are generally therapeutic. They can serve to meet individuals’ needs for personal development and education. Individuals can apply to these groups themselves or be referred by a mental health professional.
In addition to these groups, psychoeducation and guidance groups are conducted to increase individuals’ awareness and enhance their knowledge and skills to solve problems they will encounter in life. Workshop activities applied in psychology fall within the scope of these groups. These groups use demonstration methods, experiential participation in activities, and group discussions. Usually, the number of sessions is predetermined and limited. Filial Therapy groups conducted to improve parent-child relationships, anger management groups, and social skills development groups are examples of these groups.
When Are Groups Used and How Are They Formed?
Group work in mental health shows diversity and has found a wide range of applications. Generally, individuals with similar problems or going through similar stressful life periods form groups. There are many forms of application such as eating disorder groups, alcohol substance gambling addiction groups, cancer support groups, sexual abuse survivors, panic disorders, chronic schizophrenia patients, violence-prone men, divorced individuals, those who have lost loved ones, broken families, and groups for married couples. In groups such as psychoeducation and guidance groups, more general topics such as anger management, parenting skills, and social skills development can be studied, and these groups can be more heterogeneous.
When forming groups, members are first selected. Before including clients in psychological counseling and group psychotherapy groups, specialists conduct individual interviews. An appropriate number of clients should be directed to groups. The ideal number of group members is 7 to 8 people, while the acceptable number is 5 to 10 people. Decisions are made regarding the duration, frequency, and length of sessions. Group psychotherapy sessions are generally held once a week.
What Are the Healing Properties of Groups?
To recognize well-functioning groups and support the healing properties in groups, 11 healing factors have been defined by Irvin Yalom. The first of these factors is group cohesion. Groups where members feel valued, feel close to each other, are unconditionally accepted, supported, and experience a sense of trust have healing properties. Another healing factor is
Group members gaining information and guidance about life skills from the specialist and each other, instillation of hope through meeting individuals who have overcome similar problems, individuals experiencing emotional catharsis related to the challenging situation they are experiencing, and individuals experiencing altruism by helping others are among the therapeutic properties of groups. Groups help individuals question the meaning of life and remember the importance of taking responsibility.
In addition, individuals learn interpersonal interactions within the group, which is a microcosm of life, can find opportunities for modeling by observing behaviors they want to acquire, and can gain necessary social skills. For clients who have gone through difficult processes with their families, it offers an opportunity to re-experience important family dynamics in a healing environment.
What are the advantages of group work?
In groups, the client receives reactions and feedback from multiple participants. These reactions and feedback enable the client to learn many new behaviors. Participants can offer each other different options for coping, develop new behavioral patterns, and learn to communicate effectively with people. Participants begin to see others’ perspectives and perceptions.
Groups, being small social universes, can bring together individuals with many different personality structures. Individuals can learn and experience new social skills in this group that represents their real social worlds. Therapists can also direct their clients who need to develop social skills to groups so they can experience them directly. The group therapy environment is also an opportunity for the person to be observed within the group.
Coming together with other people who have had similar experiences can make the client feel better understood and not alone. Additionally, group therapy is more economical for the client compared to individual therapies, and it also helps the therapist use their time more effectively and keep costs low.
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References
Kağnıcı, Y., Koydemir, S., Çakır, G., Gizir, C. A. ve Tuna, M. E. (2014). Group psychological counseling. Pegem Akademi.
What is group therapy? Why should you participate? . ipam.ihu.edu.tr. https://ipam.ihu.edu.tr/tr/grup-terapisi-nedir-neden-katilmalisiniz
Yalom, İ. (2002). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. Kabalcı Yayınevi.
Pdrbirimi, (2019, February). Group types in group psychological counseling. Www.pdrbirimi.com. https://pdrbirimi.com/grupla-psikolojik-danismada-grup-turleri/
