In Defense of Group Work, with Ben Poling and Jeremy Jones

The counseling field has long recognized group counseling as consistently being one of the most effective treatment modalities, and contexts for healing and growth. We counselors often talk about the idea that our deepest wounds come from relationships, and are best healed…in other relationships.

We believe this, but recognize that many people are uncertain about group. We could say skeptical, resistant, or at least very concerned about what would happen to them if they joined a group. Some people are shy and intimidated. Others are concerned about being triggered. There’s always questions about confidentiality. More than all that, those who have very little experience with healthy relationships often ask…what’s the point of sitting in a room with other people? We often hear the complaint, “I’m not getting any value out of group.”

Just what is the value of group?

Rhys teams up with colleagues and prior co-facilitators Ben Poling and Jeremy Jones, to unpack the group counseling/group therapy phenomenon, and endeavor to offer some quick answers to the skeptical prospective group member. We talk about process groups, 12-Step groups, classes and skills groups, and non-clinical affinity groups and faith communities. We talk about the benefits of group, the benefits of relationship, and the benefits of ritual.

The Outer Circle, Inner Stillness is a listener supported production of New Pattern Counseling. To learn more about how to support the podcast, please visit https://www.patreon.com/outercircle

Rhys Pasimio can be found through www.newpatterncounseling.com, and is always happy to dialogue with listeners bringing honest questions!

Ben Poling can be found through A New Day Counseling Center - https://www.anewdaycounseling.org/ben-poling-ma-lpc.html

You can also find Ben’s Youtube channel, Rising PHoenix Mental Health, here - Rising Phoenix Mental Health

Jeremy Jones can be found through his website www.thinkingaboutthoughtscounseling.com

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