Group Therapy in addiction treatment

Counseling is the backbone of almost any major addiction treatment program.   Addiction counseling usually comes in one of two forms: individual or group sessions.  Individual counseling is private, and features the recovering addict meeting one-on-one with the therapist to unearth and address the root causes of the addictive behavior.

Group counseling in drug rehab features a counselor/therapist to lead the program, but that is where the similarities end.  Rather than privacy, discussion and openness are the stock-in-trade of a group meeting.  It is a chance for like-minded individuals to come together and discuss their addiction, their lives and their aspiration.  Here I would like to tell some rules for therapist to cunduct effective Group therapy. 

ROLE OF THERAPIST

1.    All members should sit in a half moon circle. This facilitates maintaining eye contact with the group members.

2.    Rules should be explained briefly every day before the start of the session.

3.    Introduce the topic for discussion with appropriate examples before the session. When the topic is clear, the group will progress well.

4.    Be receptive towards any positive message or activity discussed in the group.

5.    Be patient and attentive while listening to the group members.

6.    Make sure your clarity of thoughts and ideas reach the group members.

7.    Clarify and restate what is appropriate behavior related to the topic.

8.    Actively facilitate sharing with clear focus on specific issues.

9.    Handle denial skillfully and tactfully.

10.                       Motivate the group members towards positive change to lead an addiction free life.

11.                       Be alert to changes in the tempo of the group.

12.                       Encourage group participation in views expressed and appreciate important contributions made by the group members.

13.                       Intervene only to sharpen the focus and provide useful inputs to handle complex issues.

14.                       Have a non- judgmental attitude and maintain confidentiality.

15.                       Be supportive and accepting, this can be communicated through verbal and non-verbal behavior.

16.                       At the end of each session, facilitate feedback and don’t give answers readily. Help the group members give feedback, summarize their responses and than give your comments.

S       Sheetal Bidkar