The Stages of Group Therapy

Group therapy has different stages. For example, the “transition stage” is just one stage and should be a stepping stone into the “working stage.” During the transition stage, members begin to express themselves and have conflict with taking risks as well as playing it safe. Group members start to open up and share more of themselves within the group setting. In this stage, there is more member-to-member interaction versus always addressing the leader, which in turn allows members to become more comfortable with each other as well as themselves. The individual's fear begins to reduce, and most members are willing to speak more freely during this time. Conflict can often arise within this stage however, and depending on how the group leader handles this conflict is a large determining factor if the group moves forward into the working stage or becomes stuck and stays in the transition stage. Some group members often challenge the leader and fight for control or power of the group either openly or nonverbally with other members in an attempt to take the group in a direction that is not therapeutic. When the leader is able to redirect and maintain control, a reduction of problems should begin to occur, and cohesion begins taking place. The group really begins to take on a life of its own toward the end of the transition stage and should be preparing the way for the work ahead.

Once in the working stage, expressing intense emotion should start which is very helpful in tearing down walls between members. Sharing intense emotion within group therapy is essential for healing. Whether its drug and alcohol rehab or eating disorder treatment, quite often a traumatic event has occurred to many group members. If members are not able to express their intense emotion about the trauma inside a treatment center, then where else would it be safe to express them? Intense emotion is present within everyone, and to see it expressed in this environment means the group is being allowed to truly see each other for who they are. Otherwise, if each member in treatment is presenting with a smile on their face, then meetings would be a failure on the part of the group therapist in getting to the working stage.

Only by expressing what is truly going on inside each member will the group be able to help each other process it therapeutically. Intense emotion shows who a person truly is with the walls of “just being nice” or “trying to get along” torn down. This freedom to express oneself must be encouraged or the working stage will never be successful.

Both drug and alcohol rehab and eating disorder treatment are challenging, and often times, lonely places to be. Additionally, working through past trauma and fear is hard work. However, if a person is willing to engage in the group process while in treatment it can change a person’s life forever.

Contributed by Preston Goforth, LPC-MHSP, Director of Admissions & Business Development for Focus Treatment Centers.

 

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Lauren Sterritt