On the Other Side of Chaos by Ellen Van Vechten

Author:Ellen Van Vechten
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Central Recovery Press, LLC
Published: 2018-12-14T16:00:00+00:00

GROUP COUNSELING

Group counseling is so integral to substance use treatment that it is a thing, place, or event that needs no introductory prepositions, for example, “I have group” or “Something happened in group.” Group provides social reinforcement of principles learned in treatment23 and provides peer support for individuals who are processing life events and current challenges. Group can be a powerful place when members are engaged in and own the process; no one is judged or ostracized, and peers understand each other and are accountable to each other. It is, for example, far more impactful to a teen when a peer calls him out on plans to attend a concert because the use of drugs will be pervasive, than if his parent or counselor expresses a similar concern.

The mystery of what happens in group was explained by Irvin D. Yalom, MD, the existential psychiatrist who was one of the founders of group therapy. Dr. Yalom identified the following eleven primary therapeutic factors of group therapy:

1. Instillation of hope

2. Universality

3. Imparting information

4. Altruism

5. The corrective recapitalization of the primary family group

6. Development of socializing techniques

7. Imitative behavior

8. Interpersonal learning

9. Group cohesiveness

10. Catharsis

11. Existential factors24

Attendance at group counseling sessions can “instill hope” in clients. When entering treatment, clients meet others who may have been in the program longer and can explain the positive life changes they are experiencing. Group presents a feeling of “universality,” in other words, the client is not alone, but rather among others who are experiencing the same problems. New group members will be immediately understood and welcomed. The therapist “imparts information” and provides advice to the group members. Group also presents the benefit of sharing information among peers and the altruistic value of helping others.

Dr. Yalom’s reference to the “corrective recapitalization of the primary family group” refers to the value of reprocessing events and discussions that occurred within the family in a noncharged, objective, calm, and supportive environment. The benefit of the “development of socializing techniques” refers to the fact that clients who are in the process of changing old, maladaptive patterns of behavior relating to the use of drugs have a chance to practice social interaction. Group facilitates “imitative behavior,” that is, in group the therapist and peers model how to approach problems and react to challenges. The “interpersonal learning” that happens in group is a reference to the fact that members learn from each other’s successes and failures. When a member reports a relapse, it allows the group to consider their own vulnerability to relapse and how they will respond when their personal cues are activated. Group also fosters the development of social relationships, provides practice in handling emotions in an interpersonal context, and operates as a social microcosm of the larger external community.

The value of “cohesiveness” refers to the fact that the group becomes a unit. When group members feel ownership of their discussion, choose and direct what they will discuss, create their own rules, and support and challenge each other, they become a team. The “catharsis” that Dr.

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