The effective practice of group psychotherapy has been evidence based for many decades and it is gradually developing a public profile in Australia. You may have observed the existence of qualified group practitioners in our local community offering this modality of therapy. Many of us may have mistakenly considered that individual therapy is more intensive than Group Therapy. Recent research by leading authority on Group Psychotherapy, Irvin Yalom (Psychiatrist/ Psychotherapist), states that “25% of the time group therapy is more effective than individual therapy and 75% of the time is as effective as individual therapy”.

Advantages - One of the advantages of groups- relevant to our current economic climate is their relative affordability. A weekly therapeutic experience is costed at a group rate compared to weekly individual therapy sessions at individual hourly rates. The top 3 out of 12 advantages commonly reported by group participants (extracted from client feedback listed in the world renowned Irvin Yalom’s recent 4th edition of “The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy”) are:

1. the self-respect gained through benefiting other group members
   
2. the experience of belonging to and being accepted by the group
   
3. A sense of universality, learning I’m not the only one with my type of problem “we’re all in the same boat.”
   
   

This outcome is certainly confirmed in my clinical work. As a human you are a social, heard animal. You grew up in a family, went to school, go to work, and have the freedom to start your own relationships, family and social life. The quality of your current life and relationships is coloured by your learned relationship tendencies from past group experiences and personal interactions i.e. family, school, peers, society and culture etc. You may need the support of a qualified and experienced professional as well as a willing therapeutic group to assist you in asking the question “How do I Change?
A group is an opportunity for you to participate in discussions & reflections within a respectful group culture. 12 months is recommended for long term realistic outcomes. Slowly, safely and steadily you will be able to identify your personal challenges and current life tasks while benefiting from the consistency, reliability and trust of a closed weekly group.
Another feature of an effective therapeutic group is the focus on a common theme, for example:

• A way through anxiety
• Life after separation
• A group for couples whose kids have moved out of home
• Finding direction and motivation
• Deepening Self-esteem
• Exploring the subject of your dreams, their underlying meanings in relation to your daily experience of life.
Reflecting on a common theme creates group cohesiveness-hence the thought “we’re all in the same boat”
In terms of preparing to value your life with a small weekly fee you may have to cross a cultural hurdle- that only spending finances on material goods will bring you lasting happiness. This is a myth crushed by evidence that in an era of excess material goods and technology- we have an all time greatest peak in our records of people with depression and other mental illnesses across our global communities. Investing in the quality of ones inner life and the quality of significant relationship transactions inevitably results in a greater appreciation of the value of life and often increases participants’ capacity for a healthy financial situation.