Why choose group therapy for anxiety and ocd treatment?
Group therapy is an intimidating concept to many with Anxiety and OCD, especially because masking (not publically showing symptoms) can be a common aspect of both these disorders. Sometimes when I propose group therapy to my clients, I am met with a hard “no.” This is how I explain the incredible benefits possible when you can assemble the right group of people for healing.
Groups demonstrate universality.
Unfortunately in the modern world, while many are suffering from untreated Anxiety and OCD, we still lack a sense of the universality of our pain. Supervising the 150+ active caseload of our anxiety center, I am privy to the common themes that run between peoples’ experiences. I see, for example, how a dozen teens emotionally dealt with the school shooter threat the week previously, or how many young adults have compulsions due to financial anxiety in the inflation economy. Universality, and recognizing these common themes in the human experience, has an incredible therapeutic power because clients feel far less alone when they tap into this connection.
Sharing as healing.
While CBT and ERP individual sessions can be anxiety-activating rather than soothing, groups focus on the act of sharing as a main vehicle of healing. The very act of articulating internal struggles to a supportive group is tremendously powerful. It is truly something you have to experience to understand the effect of having multiple eyes and ears attending to your story in a receptive, collective environment.
Groups are cost effective.
As a center, we are working hard to offer mental health support to everyone who needs it. We find that clients who have regular sessions often need more therapy time but cannot afford it. Groups are at a far lower price point and can be a more sustainable long term option for treatment. Our priority is always with creating a healthy and supportive group, and collective healing is far more important than profit. Always feel free to inquire about the sliding scale!
Group members become invested in each other’s success.
Groups are never created randomly. I have the privilege of holding space for human beings running concurrent but connected lives, and often I will match them in a group with others who I intuit would support them and build them up. I choose very compassionate people for my groups, as well as people who are kind but sometimes have difficulty expressing empathy. For clients that are not an existing part of the center, I always conduct an individual session first to make sure the person is a healthy match for others in the group.
If you are interested in joining one of our existing groups, or would like us to start one around your experience, please contact Chelsea at Kairos Wellness Collective.
