Group Psychotherapy
How the IGP Group Therapy Program Works
IGP’s group therapy program brings together individuals facing similar challenges to provide mutual support, shared experiences, and collective healing. Group therapy allows members to feel less isolated, knowing they are not alone in their struggles, while benefiting from the diverse perspectives and wisdom of others. It’s an opportunity for individuals to gain insights, receive feedback, and develop new interpersonal skills within a structured, therapeutic framework.
The key elements of the IGP group therapy program include:
1. Psychodynamic Exploration
Group members engage in psychodynamic exploration, which helps individuals uncover unconscious patterns that influence their behavior and emotions. In the group setting, individuals are encouraged to share their stories, process emotions, and reflect on how their past experiences may be impacting their present lives.
Group dynamics—how members interact with one another—become a mirror for individual behaviors and relationship patterns, offering invaluable insights into personal struggles and growth areas.
2. Evidence-Based Techniques: EMDR & CBT
EMDR is incorporated in group therapy when appropriate, especially for clients with trauma histories. In a group setting, EMDR resourcing is used to help client’s build coping strategies and reduce emotional reactivity and promoting healing.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is utilized in the group therapy context to help participants learn and practice strategies for identifying and changing negative thought patterns. Members can share their progress, receive support from others, and practice new behaviors in a safe and nurturing environment.
3. Expressive Arts Therapies
One of the distinctive aspects of IGP’s group therapy is the incorporation of expressive arts—such as art, music, and creative writing—into the therapeutic process. These therapies allow group members to engage with their emotions in non-verbal ways, bypassing traditional defenses and connecting with deeper, often subconscious feelings.
Creative activities, like drawing or writing, are used to help group members process emotions, release pent-up tension, and explore their inner experiences. Expressive arts offer a powerful tool for emotional regulation and are particularly effective in trauma work and personal insight.
4. Mutual Support and Learning
Group therapy provides a community of support, where individuals can share their personal struggles and experiences in a confidential setting. The feedback and empathy from others facing similar challenges can be deeply validating and comforting. This shared healing process fosters a sense of belonging and reduces the isolation that often accompanies mental health struggles.
Group members also learn from one another’s coping strategies, insights, and personal growth. This interaction helps participants gain new perspectives and develop new social and emotional skills in a dynamic, real-world environment.
5. Safe and Structured Environment
The IGP group therapy program is guided by a skilled therapist who creates a safe, respectful, and structured environment for exploration and growth. The therapist helps facilitate group discussions, provides emotional support, and ensures that group dynamics remain positive and productive.
Participants are encouraged to set personal goals, track their progress, and support one another in achieving these goals. The group process encourages accountability, mutual respect, and compassionate feedback.
Benefits of IGP Group Therapy
Increased Self-Awareness: Through group interaction and guided exploration, participants gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their emotional triggers, and their relationship patterns.
Healing Through Shared Experience: Group therapy allows individuals to recognize that they are not alone in their struggles, offering the comfort of shared healing and mutual support.
Emotional Regulation: Techniques like EMDR and expressive arts help group members better manage their emotional responses, reduce stress, and promote emotional well-being.
Improved Interpersonal Skills: By interacting with others in the group, individuals can enhance their communication, empathy, and conflict-resolution skills—tools that are beneficial both within and outside the therapy setting.
Lasting Change: The combination of evidence-based therapy, psychodynamic exploration, and creative expression helps foster lasting emotional healing and personal transformation.