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2. "Group therapy will take longer than individual therapy because I will have to share the time with others."
Actually, group therapy is often more efficient than individual therapy for two reasons. First, you can benefit from the group even during sessions when you say little but listen carefully to others. You will find that you have much in common with other group members, and as they work on a concern, you can learn more about yourself. Secondly, group members will often bring up issues that strike a chord with you, but that you might not have been aware of or brought up yourself.
3. "Group therapy is second-best to individual therapy."
Group therapy is being recommended to you because your counselor believes that it is the most effective way to address your concerns. Group therapy offers many benefits that are not as available with individual therapy.
In everyday life it is often difficult to get useful and reliable information about yourself from others. People seldom take the time to carefully observe others, and the social constraints against giving others honest feedback inhibits the sharing of observations that could be helpful and instructive. By contrast, group members do take the time to observe and share impressions in honest and caring ways.
Another asset of group therapy is provided by the variety of personalities, experiences, and coping strategies that are natural to the members of any group. The strengths of each individual group member can serve as a model for other group members who are still learning about those skills and strengths.
4. "I have so much trouble talking to people; I'll never be able to share in a group."
Most people are anxious about being able to talk in group. Almost without exception, within a few sessions people find that they do begin to talk in the group. The other group members understand what it is like to be new to the group, so you will most likely get a lot of support for beginning to talk in the group.
5. "I am afraid I will be verbally attacked by the leaders and by other group members."
It is very important that group members feel safe. Group leaders are there to help develop a safe environment. As group members come to trust and accept one another, they generally experience feedback as positive, as if it were coming from their best friend. It is rare to find friends who will gently point out how you might be behaving in ways that hurt yourself or others, but this is precisely what group can offer. This will be done in a respectful, gentle way, so that you can hear it and make use of it.
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