Individualism is often emphasized in today’s world. But connection to a group is vital for learning, growing, and experiencing life. Being part of a group can bring a sense of belonging and purpose. People who are members of groups often feel more connected, supported, confident, and motivated to accomplish their goals. A common effect of addiction is isolation. By relearning how to participate in a group setting, you can gain some unique benefits for addiction recovery. This fact helps explain why so many addiction therapy programs make use of group sessions. A group therapy program can further your recovery in ways that individual therapy simply can’t.

Are you or your loved one affected by addiction? Footprints Beachside Recovery’s group therapy program in Treasure Island, FL, may be an essential treatment option. Every day, we use group sessions to help our clients overcome addiction’s isolating effects. We can also help you reap other vital benefits from participation in group treatment.

Groups and Peer Relationships

Groups are vital to human society. From a very early age, the average person is shaped by an essential small group: the family. In this setting and other kinds of gatherings, we naturally:

• Notice what other people do and say
• Attempt to communicate with each other
• Learn from each other’s words and behavior

Human interactions often take place between peers. In other words, they involve people who are similar in some way or share common experiences. Peer relationships are also vital to how we think about ourselves and others.

How a Group Therapy Program Makes Use of Our Natural Tendencies

Group therapy is the term for any kind of psychotherapy that includes a therapist and several participants. This means that it’s a treatment setting, not a specific form of treatment. Many different forms of therapy can take place in a group situation. When provided for multiple people at the same time, all such therapies have certain things in common, including:

• Reliance on humans’ natural social tendencies
• The development of peer relationships between participants
• Use of those peer relationships to further the goals of treatment

By leveraging our social tendencies, group counseling does something that one-on-one counseling can’t. Namely, it takes advantage of the unique benefits of peer support.

Your peers in rehab not only understand how addiction can affect you. They know how difficult it is to overcome addiction’s effects and restore your sobriety. As a result, they have a built-in motivation to respect your challenges and struggles. They also have a compelling motivation to help you, just as you have a motivation to help them. For these reasons, peer support can be crucial to your rehab efforts.

What Happens in a Group Counseling Session?

In some ways, group therapy resembles a mutual support group. However, there is one key difference. The typical support group is not led by a trained professional. In contrast, all group therapy sessions are professionally led.

During each session, your therapist will guide you through the steps of the chosen therapy method. Time is also typically set aside for discussion. At some points, you may talk directly to your therapist. At others, you may watch and listen as your therapist talks with your peers. In addition, you may talk in groups while your therapist participates or observes. All group members work together and separately to make progress toward their treatment goals.

Call Footprints Beachside Recovery Today

A group therapy program in Treasure Island, FL, may be imperative for your success in substance rehab. At Footprints Beachside Recovery, treatment often takes place in a group setting. You also have access to the unique benefits of individual therapy. To learn more about the advantages of these treatment options, call us today at 727-954-3908 or reach out online.