Group psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy in which one or more therapists, depending on the size of the group, work together with a small number of people who share a similar therapeutic need. The group process uses the interpersonal dynamic existing within the group as a vehicle for change and growth. Group psychotherapy is based on a therapeutic atmosphere in which the group members benefit through the sense of sharing their experience with others who may understand these experiences deeply. This frames the group as an empathic and mutually compassionate interpersonal environment. Such processes uphold the equal value and worth of each member, offering this as a therapeutic experience in the service of change.

Added to this, the groups focus on the development of a capacity for each group member to think about their future with hope. The group interpersonal dynamics provides a unique opportunity for members to explore inner and interpersonal conflicts within the safety and protection of the group space, with the group therapist being as responsible for maintaining this safety as each group member him or herself.

Two groups will be run simultaneously at the practice, both on Wednesday evenings. Firstly, there will be an open group. With open groups, once the group begins, it runs indefinitely. In this instance, group members who have completed their treatment leave the group when they are ready. New members may enter the group when spaces open. The open group may consist of a maximum of seven people.

Open Group Therapy

The following two possibilities exist for an open group:

Firstly, a group for adult men living with depression. This group is framed as a space for the processing of depressive experience in men who struggle to find ways of communicating such experience in their daily lives.

Secondly, there will be an open group for young adults diagnosed with borderline personality. This group will focus on enabling people living with borderline personality disorder to develop capacity to manage the dramatic fluctuations in mood and interpersonal relationship which often render their lives complicated and painful.

Once a group of up to seven has been established for either of these two groups, the group will commence.

Closed Group Therapy

Apart from the open group described above, there will be one closed group. Closed group in psychotherapy are time-limited. In this sense the groups are limited to a number of sessions. The closed group will run for 6 months, and will close. Once the first closed group has come to an end, a second closed group, with a different therapeutic focus, will begin.

The closed group will be one of either of the following, depending on which of the two fills to seven people:

Firstly, a group for adolescents living with Bipolar Mood Disorder, which will be based in a particular treatment method which lends itself to the successful treatment of paediatric bipolar. This group will be for adolescents between the age of 13-15 and 16-18. The first of these groups to fill up to be the one that runs for a period of 6 months.

>> Click here to read "Bipolar Mood Disorder in children & adolescents" by Dr. Bruce Bradfield

The second closed group will be a general group for adolescents living with depression, anxiety and relational problems. Again, the group will be for ages 13-15 and 16-18.

Each group therapy session will run for 1 hour 20 minutes. This time limit will be held flexibly, and processes may be longer if necessary.

The cost of groups per 1 hour 20 minute group session will be R180.00 per group member.

Each group member will meet with the therapist for an initial assessment session, one hour in length, before entering the group.