Inquiry, Intimacy
Collaboration and Fellowship
Groups can be a useful adjunct to the already deep and transformative individual work a client is doing.
The power of group work lies in the ability of members to receive real-time, honest and supportive feedback from other group members. Feedback is different from the type of advice one might get from friends or in support groups, in that members are encouraged to tell one another how they experience each other.
For example; what are the things you see others do or say that draws people to them, creates a sense of care and trust? Conversely, what do you observe others saying or doing (often unwittingly) that might turn people off in some way, or cause people to keep their distance? How do you communicate about what you are observing and experiencing? How does it feel to receive the feedback and reflection of others?
Over time, groups become a laboratory of sorts, where members can experiment with different ways to relate to others, where people who are accustomed to pretending they’re OK when they aren’t can risk being truthful in a safe environment. . . it’s an iterative process of communicating and behaving, receiving helpful feedback, and then trying out new, perhaps more mature behaviors.
With determination, support, prodding, and a bit of courage, group members usually find more effective ways of connecting with others in the group, and then are able to take these experiences and their deeper awareness into their relationships beyond the group.
Some prior and/or concurrent individual therapeutic consulting experience is generally required for members to enter these groups. Often members who are working individually find that the group is a powerful way to accelerate the transformative shifts they desire.
Groups are both coed and gender-specific, and are generally comprised of bright, talented, and creative adults who are looking to improve their work, social and intimate relationships and experience a more satisfying life. Group size is generally nine to twelve members.
Thank you for your interest in my work. For more information about participation in one of my ongoing groups, please call 415-729-5226 or email admin@annelisamacbeanphd.com.
