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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Dunder on December 7, 2006, at 5:39:52
I live in the UK and have been waiting several months to get psychotherapy on the NHS (National Health Service). I should find out in January if they are able to offer me anything. However, due to financial constraints in the NHS (the funding that goes into mental health is pitiful) they may only be able to offer me group therapy. Apparently this is where you have 1 or 2 therapists and up to 8 patients. I would obviously prefer one on one therapy but if this is all they can offer then I figure it's better than nothing. So if anyone can offer any insight into how group therapy works and whether it has been useful it would be much appreciated.
I guess readers in the US will find it a bit strange that I should expect free (albeit already payed for in tax) psychotherapy. But the majority of people here rely purely on NHS treatment for physical and mental health problems. I could pay for psychotherapy privately but my financial situation is not very secure at the moment.
I look forward to any responses
Dunder
Posted by sunnydays on December 7, 2006, at 9:23:43
In reply to Does anyone have experience with group therapy?, posted by Dunder on December 7, 2006, at 5:39:52
Hi,
I'm in the US, but we've had quite a few posters (and still have, I believe) from the UK, so don't feel weird about that. I am in a group right now. Groups can differ depending on their main focus, and mine is to teach distress tolerance, so it's not so much talking about feelings but more like a class. I would think yours would probably be different, as this is fairly unusual for most other types of group therapy. I do it in addition to one-on-one therapy, and I find it useful. It's nice to know there are other people that have issues too. Also, even though there are so many people, the group therapist tries to let everyone talk and provides insights to everyone. Good luck!sunnydays
Posted by happykat on December 7, 2006, at 11:38:56
In reply to Does anyone have experience with group therapy?, posted by Dunder on December 7, 2006, at 5:39:52
Hey Dunder!
I participated in group therapy a long time ago and found it useful. I was very shy at the time and found that alot of people in my group had the same problems. I got alot out of just listening to others talk and hearing what the therapist had to say. There is something comforting in knowing you are not alone. If you are vocal you will probably benefit even more. Good Luck to you!
happykat :)
Posted by cubic_me on December 13, 2006, at 9:47:39
In reply to Does anyone have experience with group therapy?, posted by Dunder on December 7, 2006, at 5:39:52
I'm from the UK and have had group therapy at my university (which take their guidelines from the NHS). There were 7 of us to start with (a few left after a month or so), with one therapist. We all had one individual session with the therapist before starting to make sure we'd be suitable for the group. We then met once a week for an hour and a half, starting with 'getting to know you' kind of things then just talking about what topics happened to be coming up for people.
I personally didn't find it that helpful, most of the people in the group had confidence issues (hence why they tried a group), and I felt a bit of an outsider. But several of them found it very helpful and continued into the next academic year. Even though it didn't do much for you, I'm glad I did it and found that out - if you don't try, you'll never know.
Another way of getting individual therapy is to see if your local town/city has a councelling service - many do, but they do have long waiting lists.
This is the end of the thread.
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