Have you ever felt alone in your thoughts? Have you looked at the circumstances in your life and decided no one would understand if you spoke with them about it? Maybe you’re currently managing a substance use disorder, and even though you wish you could talk to your loved ones about it, you worry about their reaction. There’s no way they’d be able to comprehend what led to this point. They’d just judge you and blame you for not “trying harder” or for “making bad decisions.” You already judge yourself enough – you don’t need the judgment of others, too.
Feelings of isolation are a common factor when it comes to developing substance use disorders and mental health conditions. We thrive on having connections and support around us, yet over 51% of Phoenix residents reported feelings of isolation. When we lose these connections, whether through our own decisions or through assumptions about judgment and more, it can make it that much harder to manage mental health and well-being.
Here at Pinnacle Peak Recovery, we understand exactly how substance use and mental health conditions can truly impact every corner of your life. We want to see all of our clients set up for long-term success. This is why we offer treatment services that address every aspect of a person, instead of just one facet. Let’s look further into how we address isolation and loneliness in our recovery program.
What We Treat: Isolation Caused by Mental Health and Substance Use
When people are trying to manage substance use disorders or mental health conditions, it can be overwhelming and taxing. Some days, it might feel like it's difficult to just keep your head above water. Going at it alone can not only make the journey more difficult, but it can also sometimes feel like there’s no point to the journey in the first place.
While we offer a variety of services to address addiction, mental health, and any combination of the two – one of the most powerful tools you can have on hand is support. This can mean from family, friends, or fellow peers. Through our addiction treatment and mental health programs, we provide opportunities to connect with individuals who are going through a similar journey.
How We Treat: The Power of Connection and Peer-Support in Long-term Recovery
Group therapy is a powerful tool that can empower people to better connect to the journey of recovery. When you feel alone in your thoughts and experiences, it can sometimes feel like those trying to help you can’t possibly understand your history. How can they know what they’re talking about?
When put into a group setting, people slowly open up or learn new perspectives as they hear the stories of the others in the group with them. Building new connections and friendships can go a long way in laying a strong foundation for ongoing recovery.
What Is the Goal of Group Therapy?
The main goal of group therapy is to highlight the fact that you’re not going on this journey alone. There have been others who’ve gone through it before, and there will be others who’re going to go through it after you.
Group therapy utilizes many of the same techniques as individual therapy, but broadens it in a way that allows for peers to help each other, too. Instead of sitting one-on-one with a therapist, you work through lessons together while sharing stories and insights with each other. Seeing other people who are taking the same steps as you, or who might be a step or two ahead, can make you realize that you too can take that next step. You’re just as powerful, and you don’t have to do this alone.
The Different Types of Group Therapy Offered at Pinnacle Peak
Just like there isn’t one set way to approach individual therapy, there isn’t a singular type of group therapy, either. Our team here at Pinnacle Peak believes in offering a variety of evidence-based ways to approach the same need.
Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy, commonly referred to as CBT, can be utilized in both individual and group settings. It’s a process where you work to address thoughts and patterns that are impacting your behaviors and emotions in ways that you don’t want. In a group setting, you work together to identify unhelpful ways of thinking and find ways to reframe your thoughts and reactions.
Psychoeducational Group Therapy
The primary goal of psychoeducational groups is to learn about substance use and mental health conditions. It teaches you about how the brain works, behaviors that commonly arise from substance use and untreated mental health, and how different consequences and side effects can present themselves.
By providing further insight regarding how substance use disorders and mental health conditions form, you can better understand why certain side effects happen or behaviors develop. Being more aware of how the brain and body function can make it easier to spot things like triggers or oncoming waves of depression, anxiety, and more.
Process-Oriented Group Therapy
During process-oriented group therapy, the main drive is the bonds between those attending. It’s a time to better share stories, experiences, and different things that have helped you along the way. Group leaders will steer the conversation and foster connections with the goal of the individuals learning more about each other and about themselves. The group works through challenges and changes together, providing outsider insight into each other’s concerns and obstacles while coming from a place of understanding at the same time.
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What to Expect From a Typical Group Therapy Session
While each type of group therapy will vary slightly in how it’s run, there are still many common factors between the two.
Each group will have at least one licensed therapist or professional who helps supervise or run the session. You might often interact with the same therapist during specific sessions.
During a session, other peers going through the recovery process will be sitting around and participating, too. They might not always be at the exact same stage as you are in your journey, but this helps provide a wider spread of insight.
There will often be group activities. Sometimes sessions will end with an “assignment” to think about for the next session. On occasion, groups may split into smaller groups to better talk one-on-one about the lesson or topic of the day.
What Exactly Does Group Therapy Treat?
There is a wide variety of things that group therapy can help address. Group therapy can be tailored just as much as any other form of therapy, making it a versatile tool for recovery. Some of the commonly addressed mental health conditions or experiences in group therapy include:
- Trauma
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Phobias
- Eating disorders
- Grief
- Anger management
- Domestic violence
- Substance use disorders
Three Common Signs That Group Therapy May Be Right for You
If you’re still wondering whether or not group therapy could be beneficial for you, here are a few points for your consideration.
- Do you feel like no one around you can understand what you’re going through?
- Does the process of starting recovery seem like a daunting task to undertake alone?
- Are you uncertain what it might look like to make it out the other side?
If you relate to these questions, then group therapy is a good fit for you. Let us show you you’re not alone in this. There is another side and there are many hands who are willing to support you down this road of healing.
Joining Our Group Therapy Program at Pinnacle Peak Recovery in Arizona
Whether you’re seeking help with a mental health condition, substance use disorder, or a combination of the two, having ongoing support during your journey is important. Our group therapy program is offered to both our inpatient and outpatient clients, ensuring that you have the support you need during as much of your recovery journey as possible.
Connecting with a community of people who understand what you’re going through is a powerful tool. With our compassionate care system and engaged alumni and staff, we’re ready to set you up for success. There’s no wrong time to get started, so give us a call at 866-377-4761 today. Our Pinnacle Peak Recovery team is here and ready to help whenever you need it.
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