GROUP THERAPY GUIDELINES
I hope that group is an exciting and rewarding experience for you. The work is challenging, supportive, nourishing, intimate and confrontive. My task as your therapist is to create a specific type of sacred environment in which you can address your conflicts, acknowledge your "strengths/weaknesses," embrace your "failures"/"successes", and celebrate a growing understanding of yourself and others. These guidelines will give you an introduction to the group process. No two groups are alike, but in general, you will find the following suggestions, observations, and guidelines helpful. Your responsibilities are also outlined here.
If you want to see changes in your life you must desire change. Although change is inevitable, having realistic control of your existence involves will, discipline and courage. In the group neither you nor any given situation nor life issue will change unless you are willing to risk and talk. You accomplish this in group by sharing, as honestly as possible, your feelings, thoughts and intuitions about yourself and the other group members. TALK IN THE GROUP! It may be very difficult for you to speak up, but in order for the group to function and for you to find the movement in your life that you seek, you have to share.
Strive to give appropriate feedback. Focus on your feelings and thoughts, especially the ones you have about other group members. Make "I" statements more often than "We" or general statements. Speak to the person with whom you are engaged. Look at that person, not other members; don't refer to someone in the group as "he" or "she" as if they were not there. Use the other person's name when addressing him. You are safe to express the most difficult emotions such as anger. In group you can be angry; don't hurt anyone or yourself (if you think you can't contain such intense feeling, say so and the group will keep harm from occurring).
Don't wait for an opening to speak. Be courteous and assertive. If you don't speak up you won't get much from the group. If you think the person who is speaking is going nowhere and you're feeling bored, say so. Focus on the boring behavior and don't attack the person as a "bore." This is your group and if you are unsatisfied with its direction, tell the other members what you would like to happen. Don't hesitate to ask for feedback.
In general I am also a group member albeit, as the leader, a member with a particular role. I strive to model appropriate feedback, to reflect on where the group is, to comfort and confront. At times I will have little to say; at others I will take a more overtly active role. Occasionally I will utilize particular techniques to facilitate the group such as asking members to assume certain roles to help another member with her/his work, storytelling, guided imagery, etc.
As If you feel you need such services I will be happy to assist you in any way possible. However, it is your responsibility to obtain said services, important as it is to speak up in group it is equally important to be able to tolerate silence, especially if there is nothing of significance to be said. Silence “heats up” the group, pushing it deeper into the moment. One sign of a maturing group is its ability to tolerate silence.
Take some reasonable risks in group. Look at feelings that are uncomfortable for you. People grow by stretching beyond their limited perspective of themselves and others. Try new behaviors and attitudes in the group. It is a safe place to experiment
and redefine self, often in fundamental ways.
The next paragraphs deal with procedural matters. You should arrive at group 15 minutes before it begins. This time allows you to slow down, focus on your agenda for the evening, and reflect on where you feel you and the group are working. Please be punctual; prioritize and make the group an important part of your life by being on time.
Group is 90 minutes long. As group leader I am responsible for time keeping chores. I will let you know when there are 5 minutes left in the evening's session. Respect the time-limited nature of each session and you will more readily pursue your agenda.
Commitment to the group is for 6 months. We will definitely make allowances for vacations, but you should make every effort to be present each week so the group has appropriate numbers to function and to gain your regular input. After the initial 6 month commitment you may opt to continue or discontinue. When you elect to discontinue state so during your third to last session; this gives you and the other group members 2 sessions to discuss your leaving and a final session to say goodbye.
The group is limited to 8 members. I will strive to keep the sexual orientation balance equal although I cannot guarantee this. The group is open, meaning that as individuals discontinue I will replace that person leaving with someone else as soon as possible.
Group members are asked to observe the confidentiality of each member by not discussing anything shared in the group outside of our regular group meetings. Members should not meet socially outside of group.
A "Recommended Reading List" is available. I encourage you to augment your participation and personal growth in general by developing an on-going reading program. Journaling especially immediately after the group is valuable.
The fee for group therapy is $60 per session. Payment is due at each session. An initial, pre-group, individual consultation session (one hour) is required and is free of charge. An individual termination session after you leave group (one hour) is also required; fee for this session is also at the group rate of $60/hour.
I look forward to creating and holding this space with you, and sharing in your journey.
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Phil Foster, MDiv, LPC
I have read and understand this informed consent. I have had the opportunity to ask questions.
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Client Signature