Group Therapy
Group Therapy
What is group therapy at The Helping Counselor?
Group counseling is a form of counseling that involves a small number of people who share similar concerns or goals. It is led by one or more trained counselors who facilitate the discussion and therapeutic guidance. Group counseling can help clients gain new perspectives, learn healthier coping skills, and receive support from others who can relate to their challenges.
There are many benefits to working with our peers who struggle with similar issues and receiving support and treatment as a group. Some of these benefits are hearing other people’s lived experiences, which helps us know and feel alone. Moreover, we hear, see and understand that we are not the only person struggling and learning what coping skills have worked for them and could work for us.
Different types of groups are provided to help you gain the support and tools to find your solutions, and it is essential to determine which type of group will be most beneficial.
The two types of groups provided at The Helping Counselor (THC) clinic are psychoeducation and psychotherapy groups, and the groups will focus on an overarching topic. Most groups are twelve weeks long, occurring every week simultaneously, and we will meet for ninety minutes.
These groups will continue changing, and it is essential to keep coming back to see what groups will be offered in the future and secure your spot. The groups are limited to six to eight group members and are considered closed groups, which means the group will start with the same group members, and no new group members will be able to join the group until a new group is formed.
What do I need to participate in a group?
All groups are facilitated using telehealth services. This means you must have a reliable internet connection, a camera, a microphone, and a quiet and safe environment for treatment—ideally, some headphones to ensure the group’s privacy and confidentiality. If you cannot meet these requirements, you will be asked to leave, which will be a no-show appointment.
There are differences between individual therapy and group therapy, and we need to determine if receiving treatment with other group members is best for you. For example, The Helping Counselor (THC) provides standard group rules and expectations to help create a safe healing environment. Also, the group will add any other ways to ensure the group feels safe for everyone during our first session.
It is expected and required for all group members to keep what is said in the group and not break the group’s confidentiality. If this happens, this group member will meet with The Helping Counselor to reassess their treatment goals. At the same time, THC cannot ensure that any member will not break the group’s confidentiality or other rules, and you should be aware of this limitation of the group. Please review some of the following group expectations.
THC Group Rules and Expectations:
- Confidentiality is required of all group members; What is said in the group stays in the group.
- There is no recording of the session, including not on your phone or any other technology.
- Respecting ourselves and respecting other group members is required of everyone.
- No threatening comments or behaviors.
- Our cameras are required to remain on at all times and for us to be focused on the group.
- We are to be in a private room without any distractions, such as other people, music, television, etc., to ensure our full attention is on the therapeutic process.
- We are to be fully and emotionally present. Therefore, we will not be under the influence of any substances, including nicotine, alcohol, or cannabis, nor will we be using any substances during our sessions.
- No eating is allowed during the group, but a non-alcoholic beverage is okay.
- We should speak using an “I statement” instead of a “You statement.”
- One person should be speaking at a time and in a respectful manner.
- It is okay to feel emotions in the group and to cry; this is part of recovery.
How to join a group at THC?
- You must complete all required documentation to be admitted into the THC clinic.
- You need an initial individual intake appointment to determine if group treatment is appropriate if you feel ready and learn when the next open group will occur.
- If you are accepted into the group, you will be provided a tentative start date based on having at least six group members in the group. Otherwise, we will meet each week individually until a whole group can start.
- You will pay for group treatment before the start of each group. If you cannot pay for the group session before the group starts, you will not attend the group and be considered a no-show appointment.
Current groups provided at The Helping Counselor?
Men’s issues: Sitting
(a) Sitting with difficult emotions
(b) Erectile dysfunction, low “T,“ decrease sex drive, “libido.“
(c) How to express feelings and be respected
(d) Anger issues
(e) Being told, “You’re not a real man.”
LGBT Affirmations:
(a) Coming out to ourselves and others
(b)Loving who I am
(c) How to form meaningful friendships with other people
(d) Struggling with your family and friends accept you
(e) Internalized sexual prejudice
(f) Difference between sex, gender, and sexual orientation.
Racial Identity and Self-acceptance:
(a) Who am I?
(b) Not feeling accepted
(c) Feeling alone
(d)Accepting myself for me.
(e) Loving who I am
The Counseling Process
The counseling process is a collaborative effort between the counselor and the client. It involves the following stages: establishing a trusting relationship, exploring the client’s issues and goals, developing a treatment plan, implementing interventions, and evaluating progress. Ethical principles and professional standards guide the counseling process.
To proceed with scheduling an intake appointment, you will need to email Mr. Jackson at Cjackson@thehelpingcounselor.com. He will respond using Microsoft Outlook’s HIPAA-approved and encrypted email to ensure your confidentiality. If you request to use unencrypted email, please understand that someone can intercept our emails and break your privacy. When you send your email, please indicate what problems you would like to work on and/or goals you would like to achieve. Once The Helping Counselor receives your email, we will usually contact you within 24 business hours; however, rarely it may take up to 48 business hours based on client care.
The following documents are for informational purposes only. If we decide this will be a good clinical match, Mr. Jackson will securely send these to you using The Therapy Notes link.
Consent for Telehealth Treatment
HIPAA Agreement
Authorization for Electronic Communication
Credit Card Authorization
Informed Consent Service Agreement
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Consent for Telehealth Treatment
HIPAA Agreement
Authorization for Electronic Communication
Credit Card Authorization
Informed Consent Service Agreement
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Proceed with Booking
If You are In A Crisis, Get Help Immediately!
If you’re in pain, struggling, and needing immediate help, call 911, go to the nearest emergency department, call Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or chat through their Lifeline Chat services. Additional information can be found on their website www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
If you feel you cannot keep yourself safe, please go to your local hospital, urgent care or emergency room or call 911. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 and ask to speak to the mental health worker on call. I will make every attempt to inform you in advance of planned absences.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers providing free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, promoting professional best practices, and building awareness https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Active duty & veterans– Veteran Crisis Line: Veterans Crisis Line
LGBT Community: LGBT Help Center
National Violence Support Line: National Domestic Violence Hotline