Individual Versus Group Therapy

Individual Versus Group Therapy
Another therapeutic question in dealing with relationship issues is whether to
refer the student for group treatment. Most students come to the college counseling
center wanting and expecting to meet one-to-one with a therapist—a
predilection many therapists share. However, group therapy may well be the
treatment of choice when the presenting problems involve students’ habitual
ways of relating. Groups give students a laboratory in which they can interact,
obtain feedback from their peers, and try out new ways of relating.
Once students actually get started in groups, generally they grow fi ercely
attached to them. Th e trick is getting them to start. Most students are reluctant
to join a group, explaining that, among other reasons, they are intimidated
by groups and would feel too shy to discuss their problems with other
students. Th e best response to these objections is that working on feelings
of intimidation and shyness is exactly the point. Of course they have these
feelings—that’s the purpose of the group! Th e therapist can add that other
group members have similar feelings, the group leader will help them feel
safe, and furthermore they are soon likely to feel more comfortable once they
give group sessions a try. Much depends on therapists’ own belief in groups.
When therapists truly have faith in the modality, oft en they can persuade
reluctant students to give groups a try. For students who are too resistant
or reticent at fi rst, some individual sessions may prepare them for a group
referral later.Individual Versus Group Th erapy
Another therapeutic question in dealing with relationship issues is whether to
refer the student for group treatment. Most students come to the college counseling
center wanting and expecting to meet one-to-one with a therapist—a
predilection many therapists share. However, group therapy may well be the
treatment of choice when the presenting problems involve students’ habitual
ways of relating. Groups give students a laboratory in which they can interact,
obtain feedback from their peers, and try out new ways of relating.
Once students actually get started in groups, generally they grow fi ercely
attached to them. Th e trick is getting them to start. Most students are reluctant
to join a group, explaining that, among other reasons, they are intimidated
by groups and would feel too shy to discuss their problems with other
students. Th e best response to these objections is that working on feelings
of intimidation and shyness is exactly the point. Of course they have these
feelings—that’s the purpose of the group! Th e therapist can add that other
group members have similar feelings, the group leader will help them feel
safe, and furthermore they are soon likely to feel more comfortable once they
give group sessions a try. Much depends on therapists’ own belief in groups.
When therapists truly have faith in the modality, oft en they can persuade
reluctant students to give groups a try. For students who are too resistant
or reticent at fi rst, some individual sessions may prepare them for a group
referral later.