Treating addiction involves therapy that encourages individuals to address the psychological and emotional issues driving their substance use disorder. Addiction therapy can help people open up to the treatment process and talk about what they’re going through. Arkview Recovery offers therapy services to help patients having difficulty breaking free from their addictive behaviors. Some of our available services include:
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Residential treatment program
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
For some people in treatment, group therapy can be an effective tool. At Arkview Recovery, we offer a group therapy program in Pennsylvania for people who may benefit from this therapeutic approach.
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy sessions typically have one or more therapists who treat multiple patients at one time. The number of participants in group therapy varies from one setting to the next. Some therapists prefer limiting the number of people, while others believe in making sessions available to anyone willing to get help.
After the therapist opens the floor for discussion, group members talk about their issues. Everyone else listens, offering commentary when they feel it is necessary. One of the most significant benefits of group therapy is that it encourages each person to communicate their feelings.
It’s excellent practice for when they need to do the same thing with other people in their lives. Group therapy helps members learn to address conflicts without escalating their behavior. It’s a place where members can form bonds of trust from going through similar experiences.
How Does Group Therapy Work?
Therapists usually set the tone and mood of each meeting. They tend to facilitate discussions and keep them from going off the rails. Each member is expected to abide by certain ground rules to ensure that group therapy sessions remain productive for everyone.
Some people aren’t comfortable opening up in front of a group. If you’re not in a place where you want to tell other people about your problems, you can still practice active listening in group therapy sessions. You’re encouraged to comment on what other members talk about during the session. Many group members end up getting more comfortable talking after they settle into group therapy.
Absorbing the experiences of others often helps patients reflect on the problems that led them down the path of addiction. It’s often easier to spot problematic behaviors in others that we might overlook in ourselves. The advice given to other group members can be helpful to your situation.
How Can I Benefit from Group Therapy?
Addiction can become all-consuming, but the same can be said for addiction therapy. When you first enter treatment, your focus may be entirely on your issues. Group therapy helps patients realize that they are not alone in their struggles. The sessions give you a chance to spend more time offering empathy to others and less time feeling sorry for yourself.
Group therapy is the perfect way to learn how to express yourself more effectively. You learn how to get around your frustrations and keep conversations going in a positive direction. Group therapy sessions aren’t meant to tear down others in the session. It’s about expressing what’s going on inside and getting valuable feedback from others who need help with similar problems.
You learn to become more self-aware of how your words and actions impact others. Group therapy can become a safe place to let your walls down and talk about the things that scare you most. Once you learn to trust the others in your group, you may find yourself forging connections that last long beyond your time in addiction treatment.
Connect with Others in Our Group Therapy Program
If you are considering a group therapy program in Pennsylvania, reach out to Arkview Recovery today. Our group therapy program gives you the chance to connect with people who understand what you are going through. Learn more from our team today by calling 717.744.0756 or completing our confidential online form.
Kyle is Lead Therapist at Arkview Recovery Center. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from Temple University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He has years of experience working directly with individuals who suffer from addiction and mental health disorders. Being in long term recovery himself, Kyle is very passionate about the recovery process. He is heavily involved in the local recovery community in which he enjoys his commitments to service and giving back. His specialty is in group therapy and developing clinical staff. Kyle brings to Arkview a holistic approach to recovery, specializing in mindfulness, reality therapy, and solution-focused therapy.