Due to COVID-19 therapy groups have been suspended temporarily to maintain the safety of our clincians and participants.
Difference Between Therapy Groups and Support Groups
"The general purpose of support groups is to help identify healthy, effective coping techniques, skills often geared to mitigating feelings of angst, fear, pain, and loss. The groups also provide a great support network—members in similar circumstances with similar feelings with whom they can share in an open and unedited fashion. For some people, this may be their only support network. The group allows people to be where they are and validates and normalizes what they’re feeling. It’s a place for encouragement, not only from the facilitator, but from other members.A therapy group also helps with developing coping skills, but in a somewhat different manner. Its focus is more educational, therapeutic, and process-oriented. It provides a forum for change and growth, and there is often a theme presented for the entire group, with specific outcomes anticipated.
In general, I would characterize therapy groups as being more structured and didactic in nature, addressing issues on a deeper level, and having a specific goal or outcome in mind. On the other hand, support groups are less structured, with no curriculum per'se—instead, many themes may enter a discussion by a fluid group of members, with the facilitator guiding from the side.
Not everyone will wish to participate in the more intense, focused, therapy-based experience of group therapy; however, nearly everyone can benefit from a support group. Each type of group offers a unique dynamic and the key is finding a group that meets your specific needs and association. For example, at Gilda’s Desert Cities there are groups for those recently diagnosed and currently in treatment for cancer, their caregivers, those in bereavement, and those no longer in treatment but dealing with post-treatment issues.
Both types of groups have a lot to offer, and I would encourage everyone faced with a new challenge to consider them both.
Gail Bardin is Clinical Director at Gilda’s Desert Cities. For more information contact Gilda’s Club at (760) 770.5678 or visit www.gildasclubdesertcities.org."
https://deserthealthnews.com/stories/support-groups-therapy-groups-difference/
In general, I would characterize therapy groups as being more structured and didactic in nature, addressing issues on a deeper level, and having a specific goal or outcome in mind. On the other hand, support groups are less structured, with no curriculum per'se—instead, many themes may enter a discussion by a fluid group of members, with the facilitator guiding from the side.
Not everyone will wish to participate in the more intense, focused, therapy-based experience of group therapy; however, nearly everyone can benefit from a support group. Each type of group offers a unique dynamic and the key is finding a group that meets your specific needs and association. For example, at Gilda’s Desert Cities there are groups for those recently diagnosed and currently in treatment for cancer, their caregivers, those in bereavement, and those no longer in treatment but dealing with post-treatment issues.
Both types of groups have a lot to offer, and I would encourage everyone faced with a new challenge to consider them both.
Gail Bardin is Clinical Director at Gilda’s Desert Cities. For more information contact Gilda’s Club at (760) 770.5678 or visit www.gildasclubdesertcities.org."
https://deserthealthnews.com/stories/support-groups-therapy-groups-difference/