What are process groups?
Group therapy can be intimidating, and to a certain extent this is part of the process, as often we can turn away from aspects of ourselves that we do not like or wish to hide.
The benefits of group work can be numerous and lead to lasting change and support. Group is a powerful way to address personal challenges, as members are encouraged to work through barriers to trust and utilize group support to understand their dynamics better and tap into the support of the group. Consistent research and review of the literature indicates that group therapy is an effective form of treatment and that group therapy in essence is as effective as individual therapy (Burlingame et al., 2013).
Processing in the here-and-now can facilitate the ‘working through’ of issues and bring forward perspective and understanding that otherwise could not be facilitated in individual therapy. The reasoning behind this is that groups offer dynamic viewpoints, as people within the group bring in a wide array and collection of experiences.
What to expect:
It is normal to feel apprehensive, unsure, and nervous about starting a group. On the day of the group you can expect to enter the room and see a circle of chairs (this might fit your typical understanding of groups as portrayed by the media). Group will begin with a short introduction of members, the facilitators, and a few housekeeping rules, and processing will begin from there.
It could take you a few sessions to ‘settle in’ before you start to feel comfortable with being in a group setting- this again is normal and an important part for you and the group to form safety.
There are no supposed to’s or expectations of how you are supposed to be; rather, just a gentle noticing of how you are. You may notice that as the group starts to unfold aspects of parallel processing occurring, this is also part of the experience
Parallel Processing & Groups:
In a group setting, we are not only hearing and trying to understand what another saying, but how we feel about the subject and how we can relate based on our own experience. Within group therapy, this type of learning from others is referred to as parallel processing.
Parallel processing is a form of connection with another through an understanding, or ‘felt sense’ of a lived experience. This is a form of reflection and can be helpful to develop empathy towards ourselves and others because we can start to understand various viewpoints of an experience or perspective. Parallel processing can also challenge our understanding of a concept and highlight our biases, judgements, assumptions, and values.
Burlingame, G. M., Strauss, B., & Joyce, A. (2013). Change mechanisms and effectiveness of small group treatments. Bergin and Garfield’s handbook of psychotherapy and behavior change, 6, 640-689.