The Value of Group Therapy BY NOEL NEU on June 4th, 2013
At the very core of the group therapy process is developing trust and how it affects both recovery and everyday life. When engaged in a group facilitated by a licensed professional who exudes honesty, compassion, and integrity, group members cultivate a deeper level of trust in the facilitator and as a result in the group as a whole. When a group member is encouraged to process feelings associated with disclosing personal information in an environment of non-judgment and acceptance, they generally end up feeling a mix of relief, shame, and embarrassment. Through this process the group member becomes able to identify both positive and negative feelings associated with disclosing personal information and as a result feel closer to other members of the group after hearing what they have to share. This act of disclosing personal information previously held onto is taking a “leap of faith� and in doing so, each group member is able to unify the group and shift its dynamics. Active addiction involves lying, cheating, and stealing all reinforcing a lack of trust in oneself and others. To come into recovery and begin to build trust with others, it becomes important to focus on honesty as a foundation to help promote trust in oneself and others. Without the ability to become and remain honest, trust becomes impossible, leading to isolation and relapse. The accountability of the individual group member to the group is what defines the supportive connection that in invaluable to the healing process of recovery.