Through group therapy, I indentified what I need to change as an individual and learned how to develop and manage relationship better.

Group therapy is a powerful venue for growth and change. Although some people may feel uncomfortable at first, most clients report that the group experience was helpful far beyond their expectations. Not only do clients receive tremendous understanding, support, and encouragement from others facing similar issues, but they also gain different perspectives, ideas, and viewpoints on those issues.

spiral2grow group program is characterized by a high level of interaction, energy and honesty as well as a safe place to bring up a wide range of complex issues. The group also serves as a working laboratory for experimentation where newly learned skills can be put to the test. The result is a richer and deeper experience promoting members to take on life’s challenges.

Working on your personal growth is personal but you don’t have to do it alone. The power of group support and learning from others’ challenges as you challenged, is an essential aspect of successful healing and growth. The group meetings devoted to your specific problem, where people like yourself gather to share their stories and experiences are a powerful way to gain a supportive environment that is conducive to gain new insights and skills to become the best person you can be. Let the collective wisdom of other people inform your healing to gain greater control over your life.

spiral2grow is located in New York City and its skills and goal-oriented groups are facilitated by leaders that are well-trained and experienced. Each group focuses on resolving particular problems faced by the people in the group. The group also may be more cost effective than individual therapy, and in some instances even more productive.

What is group therapy?

Group therapy sessions vary, but the basic format is a small group of patients meeting on a regular basis to discuss their feelings and problems and provide mutual support. Group therapy is intended to help people who would like to gain support, increase self-awareness, and learn new ways to cope with personal or interpersonal challenges. Group therapy can be especially effective for people interested in exploring their interpersonal style and enhancing their approach to relationships in such areas as trust, intimacy, anger, conflict, assertiveness, taking risks, or improving self-esteem. Some groups are more theme-focused (e.g., Social Anxiety, Anger Management, Assertiveness Training, Self-esteem and Confidence) with more of an exclusive emphasis on providing support and strategic problem-solving.

As part of the group therapy session, members try to change their old ways of behaving in favor of newer, more productive ways. Typically, there is a great deal of interaction and discussion among the members of the group. The members may also undertake specific activities, such as addressing certain fears and anxieties.

Who can benefit from group therapy?

Group therapy is appropriate for people with a variety of interests, problems, or challenges. It is especially effective for people who would like to improve and better understand their interpersonal patterns in relationships, whether these involve difficulties in social, academic, working, romantic, or even sexual relationships. It is equally suitable for people who struggle with emotional difficulties such as anxiety, anger management, or depression.

What do I talk about when I am in group therapy?

Because unexpressed feelings are a major reason why people experience difficulties in relationships, sharing your feelings in the group affects how much you will be helped by it. Of course, you control what, how much, and when you share information with the group.

Members talk about whatever is troubling them or whatever brought them into therapy in the first place. Most people are anxious about beginning to talk in the group. However, within a few sessions, people typically find that they are able to talk in the group and that they get support from other members as they begin to share.

For process groups, the issues discussed each week arise from the members rather than being initiated by the group leader(s). Participants can discuss personal concerns or problems from everyday life; relationships with friends, family members, or significant others; or specific reactions, thoughts, or feelings to events within the group. Essentially, no topic is off-limits in the group. In contrast, because these groups may have a strong didactic and/or problem-solving component, with greater homogeneity concerning member goals, discussion and/or personal disclosures may be minimal and focused more narrowly around a specific topic area.

How does group therapy work?

A group therapist appropriately selects a small group of people who would be helped by the group experience and who can be learning partners for one another. In meetings, people are encouraged to talk with each other in a spontaneous and honest fashion. A professionally trained therapist, who provides a productive examination of the issues or concerns affecting the individuals and the group, guides the discussion.

The group therapy session is a collaborative effort in which the therapist assumes clinical responsibility for the group and its members. In a typical session (90 minutes) members work to express their problems, feelings, ideas, and reactions as freely and honestly as possible. Such exploration gives the group the important information needed to understand and help one another. Members learn not only to understand themselves and their issues but also become “therapeutic helpers” for other members.

Not every group is alike. There are a variety of styles that different groups use. For instance, some focus more on interpersonal development, where much of the learning actually comes from the interaction between members. Others address thoughts and behaviors, where the emphasis is on learning how to control negative thoughts, address phobias or relieve anxiety-inducing situations.

Why is group therapy useful?

Joining a group is useful because it provides opportunities to learn with and from other people, to understand one’s own patterns of thought and behavior and those of others, and to perceive how group members react to one another. We live and interact with people every day and often there are things that other people are experiencing or grappling with that can be beneficial to share with others. In group therapy, you learn that perhaps you’re not as different as you think or that you’re not alone. You’ll meet and interact with people, and the whole group learns to work on shared problems — one of the most beneficial aspects. The more you involve yourself in the group, the more you get out of it.

Group therapy works on many levels. First, it provides a confidential space to be open about issues that are troubling you and to gain support. It is not uncommon for people to feel alone with their problems or circumstances. Discovering that other people can relate to your experiences can be very comforting. Group members can offer validation, as well as fresh ideas or viewpoints for looking at a particular situation.

Another advantage of group therapy is the opportunity to learn about oneself by listening to others. It can be very helpful when listening to other members to consider how what they are saying might apply to you. You will find that you have many things in common with other members and, as they work through their concerns, you can learn a great deal about yourself. It may also be the case that someone raises an issue that seems to really relate to you, but that you might not have been aware of or brought up yourself.

Another reason people join groups is to become more aware of patterns in their relationships that are problematic in some way. When people join the group they usually begin to recreate the difficulties that brought them to the group in the first place. Within the safety of the group, members are able to try out new ways of relating that can then be put into practice in other relationships outside the group.

The benefits of group therapy

Probably the biggest advantage of group therapy is in helping a client realize that he or she is not alone — that there are other people who have the same problems. This is often a revelation, and a huge relief, to the person.

Being in group therapy can also help you develop new skills to relate to others. The dynamics of a group often mirror those of society in general, and learning how to interact with the other members of the group can help you in your relationships outside the group. In addition, the members of the group who have the same problem(s) can support each other, and may offer suggestions to dealing with a particular problem that you may not have thought of.

You may be uncomfortable at first when it comes time to discuss your problems in front of strangers. However, the fact that others are facing the same type of situation as you may help you open up and discuss your feelings. In addition, everything that takes place within the group therapy session is kept confidential. The following are some of the many benefits provided by Group Therapy:

Exploring issues in an interpersonal context more accurately reflects real life.

• Group therapy provides an opportunity to observe and reflect on your own and others’ interpersonal skills.
• Group therapy provides an opportunity to benefit both through active participation and through observation.
• Group therapy offers an opportunity to give and get immediate feedback about concerns, issues and problems affecting one’s life.
• Group therapy members benefit by working through personal issues in a supportive, confidential atmosphere and by helping others to work through theirs.

Who should participate in group therapy?

Group therapy can benefit many different people, from those having difficulties with interpersonal relationships to those dealing with specific problems such as depression, anxiety, serious medical illness, loss, addictive disorders or behavioral problems. With adolescents, for example, group therapy teaches socialization skills needed to help function in environments outside the home.

What is expected of the participants?

It is very important that group members be able to develop a significant level of trust in each other. It is therefore critical that each member make certain commitments to the group and its members. Depending on the group, such commitments might include agreeing to come for a minimum number of sessions, coming to every group meeting or calling if you have to miss a group, and keeping confidential the identity of the participants and any information brought up in group. As in any relationship, the development of trust, cohesion, and a sense of safety allows people to talk personally and honestly.

Are group members required to attend individual therapy?

It depends on the individual. Sometimes group therapy is used as the main or only treatment approach. Sometimes it’s used along with individual therapy. Often people find that working simultaneously in both group and individual therapy stimulates growth in mutually complementary ways. Ask your therapist about the type of therapy that will best meet your needs.

Will there be people with similar problems in my group?

The therapist’s role is to evaluate each member’s problems before forming the group. Usually, there is a mix of members who can learn from each other. While some members will have similar circumstances, it’s not necessary for all to be dealing with exactly the same problem. In fact, people with different strengths and difficulties are often in the best position to help one another.

Group commitment

The time commitment depends on the type of group and the nature and extent of your problems. Short-term groups devoted to concrete issues can last anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks. Support therapy groups (for example, those dealing with a medical illness such as cancer) may be more long-term. There are also more open-ended groups in which members work at their own pace and leave when their particular needs or goals have been met. It’s best to talk with your therapist to determine the length of time that’s right for you.

What if I am uncomfortable in front of others?

It’s not unusual to feel uneasy or embarrassed when first joining a group, but soon you begin to develop feelings of interest and trust. Most clients find that group therapy provides a great deal of relief because it allows them a chance to talk with others who are experiencing similar problems — in a private, confidential setting. Many people who have experienced group therapy believe that working together with others is helpful and they feel better by participating in this form of therapy.

Common misperceptions about Group Therapy

• “I will be forced to tell all of my deepest thoughts, feelings and secrets to the group.”
• You control what, how much, and when you share with the group. Most people find that when they feel safe enough to share what is troubling them, a group can be very helpful and affirming. We encourage you not to share what you are not ready to disclose. You can also be helped by listening to others and thinking about how what they are saying might apply to you.
• “Group therapy will take longer than individual therapy because I will have to share the time with others.
• 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 very 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.
• “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. Feedback is often difficult to hear. As group members come to trust and accept one another, they generally experience feedback and even confrontation as positive, as if it were coming from their best friend. One of the benefits of group therapy is the opportunity to receive feedback from others in a supportive environment. 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 the group can offer. This will be done in a respectful, gentle way so that you can hear it and make use of it.
• “Group therapy is second-best to individual therapy.”
• If group therapy is being recommended to you it is because your intake counselor believes that it is the best way to address your concerns. We do not put people into group therapy because we don’t have space in individual therapy, or because we want to save time. We recommend group therapy when it is the most effective method to help you. Your intake counselor can discuss with you why group therapy would be effective for you.
• “I have so much trouble talking with people, I’ll never be able to share in a group.”
• Most people are anxious about being able to talk in a group. Almost without exception, within a few sessions, people find that they do begin to talk in the group. Group members remember 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.

How do I (we) get started?

• The initial session is scheduled over the telephone.
• Contact us at 917-692-3867 to speak with a therapist and schedule your appointment.

Anger Management Group

Intense anger or aggressive behaviors can be costly, both physically and mentally. The anger group program enables participants to better learn, practice, and integrate treatment strategies to manage anger, especially in provocative situations. It provides the clients effective coping skills to stop negative behavior, avoid escalation, be assertive, and resolve conflicts.

Moshe Ratson’s unique approach to anger transformation is a powerful way to use anger as a positive force to create a better world, for yourself, the people you care about as well as the community at large.

Individuals in the group learn to understand the root issues beneath anger, and their unmet needs, recognize early signs of anger and reduce aggressive and impulsive responses. They are taught how to slow down their arousal when angered so that it can be processed and acted on in a proper way without the negative consequences associated with uncontrolled anger.

The power of group support and learning from others’ challenges as you are challenged, is an essential aspect of successful healing and growth. The group meetings, where people like yourself gather to share their stories and experiences are a powerful way to gain an supportive environment that is conducive to gaining new insights and skills to become the best person you can be. Let the collective wisdom of other people to inform your healing and gain greater control over your life.

spiral2grow of New York City utilizes proven methodologies from a variety of modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) and other approaches that employ tempering anger, relaxation, cognitive, and communication skills interventions.

The following are a few of the goals and skills provided in Anger Management Group:

• Process anger constructively by understanding its psychodynamics
• Manage anger and other challenging emotions in healthy ways
• Express your needs and feelings in a constructive way
• Transform anger into a healthy productive source
• Eliminate self-destructive/manipulative behaviors
• Explore pain that has been masked by anger
• Halt escalation and resolve conflicts
• Become assertive (not passive and not aggressive)
• Build emotional regulation – Overcome emotional reactivity
• Establish healthy boundary
• Develop communication skills
• Cultivate compassion and kindness

Read more about Anger Management Group in New York City by spiral2grow.

Self Esteem and Confidence Group

The self esteem and confidence group is good for individuals who are uncertain about themselves, lack self-confidence, doubt their abilities, or think negatively of themselves. The group sessions focus on the causes and cures for problems such as low self-esteem and confidence, feeling of inferiority, perfectionism and procrastination. Participants learn the negative impacts low self-esteem might have on a person and their life, and learn specific skills to overcome self-esteem while building emotional resiliency. The purpose of group counseling is to improve insight and self-understanding and develop self-esteem and self-confidence. It teaches skills that enhance self-confidence, be more engaging and promote greater joy in daily living.

The group is a supportive system and a powerful methodology to learn from others’ challenges as you challenged and gain healing and growth. The group meetings, where people like yourself gather to share their struggles, stories and experiences are a healthy way to create a supportive environment that is conducive to gaining new insights and skills to become the best person you can be. Join a group and let the collective wisdom of other people to inform your confidence and gain greater control over your life.

The following are few of the goals and skills provided in Self Esteem and Confidence Group:

• Improve self-esteem and confidence – Accept yourself
• Recognize and manage personal emotional blocks and limitations
• Build courage to do new things and experience life to its fullest
• Develop positivity and fulfill your potential by having a winning attitude
• Do the right thing and act courageously during stressful or intense situations
• Master your thoughts, feelings and actions
• Overcome social fear, anxiety and shyness
• Gain inner comfort and project true confidence
• Improve social and interpersonal skills and style
• Avoid procrastination and avoid perfectionism
• Take control over your life & relationships
• Attract partners and build healthy relationships
• Let go of negative patterns
• Become assertive, establish healthy boundaries – Think win-win
• Set, pursue and attain your goals

Assertiveness Group

The assertiveness training group is formed in recognition of the difficulty that many people have while standing up for themselves and what they want, while respecting the needs of others. The struggle to balance the right to express their opinions, needs, and desires, while maintaining healthy work, personal, and romantic relationships is not an easy task. Assertiveness training can provide the skills and tools to help you relate to others with less anxiety and resentment while retaining self-respect and power over your attitude and over your own life.

Group therapy is a powerful modality to acquire new skills and practice it while facilitating growth and change. Although might be uncomfortable at first, most clients report that the group experience was helpful far beyond their expectations. Individual clients in group receive understanding, support, and encouragement from others that facile similar situation and challenges and at the same time gain different perspectives and support in dealing with those issues. In this regards, spiral2grow, located in New York City (NYC), is excited to provide the opportunity to join a group in NYC that is designed to help individuals who feel they lack the skills to assert themselves in a variety of social and professional situations.

The following are few of the goals for assertiveness group training:

• Acquire the skills basic to effective and responsible assertion
• Learn both verbal and non-verbal assertiveness skills
• Identify and express interpersonal rights in an assertive manner
• Develop healthier behavior to engage and attract healthier relationships
• Clarify and reduce emotional blocks that prevent individuals from acting assertively
• Become more aware of personal passive/assertive/aggressive tendencies and behaviors
• Build healthy boundary
• Develop leadership skills and become more influential in your life
• Improve your emotional intelligence and emotional maturity
• Practice assertive behaviors in provocative of situations
• Improve conflict resolution and management skills

Social Anxiety Group

Even if your fear is not intense, the group program may give you helpful suggestions for easing anxiety that you experience in social situations. In the social anxiety program clients can learn the skills to manage social anxiety with the purpose of enjoying and experiencing social interactions and situations.

The following are few of the goals and skills provided in Social Anxiety Group:

• Have the courage to do new things and experience a more fulfilling life
• Identify unhealthy ways of thinking and adapt constructive ones
• Manage stress through mindfulness and relaxation techniques
• Build courage, take risks and make difficult decision
• Improve self-esteem and confidence – Accept yourself
• Deal with personal emotional blocks and limitations
• Resolve the underline issues of your social anxiety
• Overcome internal blocks and external challenges
• Improve social/interpersonal skills/style
• Communicate with assertiveness and confidence
• Gain inner comfort and project self confidence
• Overcome perfectionism and procrastination
• Overcome social fear, anxiety and shyness
• Meet new people with ease and confidence
• Take control over your life & relationships
• Attract and build healthy relationships

Stress and Anxiety Management Group

Stress is emotional and physiological reaction to a threat, whether real or imagined, that results in a series of challenges. Anxiety does not only affect your body, it also affects your thoughts and behaviors. Stress management can bring a variety of benefits: sustained peak performance, cognitive flexibility, memory, decision making, and even longevity. If you are feeling stressed, demoralized, depressed and/or anxious, this group workshop can help you.

Stress and Anxiety do not only affect your body, they also affect your thoughts and behaviors. Therefore, there are three parts to anxiety: physical symptoms (how our body responds), thoughts (what we say to ourselves) and behaviors (what we do, or our actions). Learning to recognize these signs of anxiety can help you to be less afraid of it. In this group therapy, individuals can be aware of the physical symptoms of anxiety, recognize anxious thoughts and behaviors and learn techniques to manage their anxiety.

spiral2grow, located in New York City (NYC) utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Counseling (CBT) approach as well as other psychotherapy models that has shown by research to be most effective form of therapy for anxiety. The group seminar teaches participants management and coping skills for dealing with anxiety and stress. The group program teaches participants management and coping skills for dealing with anxiety and stress. Participants will learn techniques to relieve uncomfortable feelings and move towards a more harmonious, integrated and skillful state of being.

spiral2grow also offers Stress Management and Anxiety Management solutions in additional formats: Individuals psychotherapy and Stress Management Workshop.

Healthy Relationships Group

Healthy relationships are an essential component of health and well-being. There is compelling evidence that strong relationships contribute to a long, healthy, and happy life. On the other hand, research also supports the idea that a lack of relationships, or dysfunctional and stressful relationships can cause multiple problems with physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

The healthy relationship group therapy is designed for individuals and couples interested in establishing a healthy relationship, and for wanting to improve communication skills and collaboration, creating safety and intimacy in their relationship. The goal of the sessions is to see the relationship as a source for growth and healing experiences, preparing participants to develop close, fulfilling and rewarding relationships.

This group offers the opportunity to change dysfunctional relationship patterns as they occur with peers and to raise self-esteem by increasing interpersonal skills. The group serves as a “learning lab” for relationship development and provides countless opportunities for personal growth and relationship enhancement.

spiral2grow of New York City also offers Relationship Group solutions in a variety of formats:  Individuals  Couples Counseling  and  Workshops.

Online Group Counseling

Group online therapy, is also known as group e-therapy, group e-counseling, or group cyber-counseling. The online support group has emerged since mankind found the benefits of the Internet, yet is a relatively new development in mental health in which a therapist or counselor provides psychological advice and support over the Internet in a group format. It provides many benefits to include location challenges, limited budgets and desire for anonymity.

Group Therapy online targets individuals from all walk of life that face common life challenges. Group therapy utilizes the support of peers and the experience of trained professionals to help understand and discuss integral parts of one’s self. Yet, Online therapy is not appropriate for everyone, but it has shown effectiveness in some situations. Therefore, group sessions aims to combine the best of both conventional and online approaches to online mental health support.

Working on your personal growth is personal but not private. That is to say, that no one can work them for you, but you don’t have to do it alone. The power of group support and learning from others’ challenges as you challenged, is an essential aspect of successful healing and growth. The group meetings devoted to your specific problem, where people like yourself gather to share their stories and experiences are a powerful way to gain an supportive environment that is conducive to gain new insights and skills to become the best person you can be. Let the collective wisdom of other people to inform your healing and gain greater control over your life.