Group therapy. What are people’s thoughts?

[Slipperyfish]

Hi everyone.
this week I’ve just started a 10 week women’s complex trauma program and I’m just wondering if anyone has previous experience with group therapy. I found the initial interview process (to see if the group would be a good fit) really great and I was super excited to begin. But since the first group session I have been completely overwhelmed. I’m sure this is somewhat normal but honestly the past week has been a struggle. My body has literally shut down on me and I’ve been crippled with pain from what I can only assume is body memories from past trauma. I’ve also been so emotional. Like it’s out of control. My housemate killed a spider and I cried all because I felt like she took the choice away from the spider about whether it wanted to live or not. I’m just at a bit of a crossroads. I want more then anything to get better and I 100% want to keep giving the group a go. I just don’t know if this is my body and brain telling me I’m not ready. I don’t know. A lady in the group actually made the comment that what she wants to achieve out of the group is how to really live and not just survive. And I feel that way too! I just don’t know if I’m going to cause myself more damage if I put myself through 10 weeks of this if I’m not ready.
anyway. I’d love to hear if people have had any previous experience with a similar situation. Like I said, I am so ready to move forward in life and actually start living a life that I really enjoy being a part of instead of just telling myself I can make it through the day one step after another to then continue to tell myself this on a daily basis. I’m so ready to move forward!

[geoff]

Good Morning Slipperyfish, welcome to the forums.

Group therapy for me was slightly awkward, to begin with as we were all staying in a private facility for people suffering from a mental illness because who was the first to start?

After a few days we were in laughter, problem was that after we all split or went to their lounge to watch tv, the crunch came, from having a happy hour to then virtually nothing was the shock we weren't prepared for.

How do you know whether you are ready for group therapy, well once you hear what other people have been through themselves, creates group empathy so that's a comfort to remember.

To live your life rather than just survive is a question that differs from each person and in different circumstances and I know with me it seemed to change on a daily basis, but to let go of expectations and there can be a reason to forgive yourself, that's what we forget about.

Take care.

Geoff.

[therising]

Hi Slipperyfish

It's an empowering experience to sit within a group of people who all want to rise to higher consciousness/self understanding. Group therapy was what actually freed me from 15 or so years of being in a depression. It's something that definitely holds potential. It was probably about half way through the sessions when I began to experience some significant epiphanies.

We are definitely emotional creatures with a lot of energy in motion. It can be quite quirky how the energy all begins to shift, together at once. It is said that we hold a lot of mental emotion in our body, so when the mental aspects begin to shift, there can be some physical symptoms. It's about the body releasing or venting energy that has been stored for years. It can be a wild ride.

Even if the spiritual (non religious) side of life isn't your cup of tea, it may help to get a slightly different angle on things. 'Spiritual emergency' can offer a fascinating perspective on when everything begins to shift. Some people will experience significant shifts in reality, some will experience great physical pain in certain parts of their body, some will become highly emotional and perhaps a little lost and confused, some will become highly sensitive to certain stimuli, some will even speak of noticing certain 'psychic' or natural abilities. Someone who I've found to be a great supporter of self understanding in this way is a woman named Christina Lopes. She has a great website.

Whilst we may be in for a wild ride when everything begins to shift, having someone who can help us navigate the twists and turns is a must.

By the way, the spider incident could relate to a shift in perspective which dictates a deep belief that 'all life is valuable' (a strong Buddhist belief). There is absolutely nothing wrong with relating to this creatures right to live. Sounds like you are gaining great empathy and connection to life at a deeper level.

Take care 🙂

[Slipperyfish]

That’s 100% how I felt after I left. Throughout the session we talked and worked through situations and then I went home and felt all alone! But hopefully as the weeks go on things will improve.