Mindfulness-Based Group Therapy
We are currently offering a FREE 4-week programme in Mindfulness-Based Group Therapy, fully funded by Devon Therapy Hub
Click below for more information:
What is Mindfulness-Based Group Therapy?
Mindfulness-Based Group Therapy is a way of experiencing the benefits of Mindfulness-based therapeutic work within a group setting. The way we apply mindfulness is by supporting you to come into relationship with your present moment experience, coming to know what is happening for you right now in mind & body, and allowing this to be the ground for the therapeutic exploration.
We cultivate a depth of self awareness, so that we can be empowered to know ourselves and our experiences more deeply, to understand what is happening for us and what our particular flavour of suffering looks like. From this we learn how to respond lovingly and compassionately to our own needs, which organically restores a sense of well-being.
We work with a principle understanding that underneath all the difficulties, we are inherently well, and that something is always internally in motion to bring us back to a state of wellness. By developing self awareness to be able to understand, acknowledge and respond to our own needs, we can learn how to care for ourselves, and support this inner journey back to well-being.
Through this process, we have seen people overcome deeply intrenched patterns of suffering and make remarkable shifts in their lives. This is not always an easy process, but one we can wholeheartedly recommend for long-term healing benefits.
We cultivate a depth of self awareness, so that we can be empowered to know ourselves and our experiences more deeply, to understand what is happening for us and what our particular flavour of suffering looks like. From this we learn how to respond lovingly and compassionately to our own needs, which organically restores a sense of well-being.
We work with a principle understanding that underneath all the difficulties, we are inherently well, and that something is always internally in motion to bring us back to a state of wellness. By developing self awareness to be able to understand, acknowledge and respond to our own needs, we can learn how to care for ourselves, and support this inner journey back to well-being.
Through this process, we have seen people overcome deeply intrenched patterns of suffering and make remarkable shifts in their lives. This is not always an easy process, but one we can wholeheartedly recommend for long-term healing benefits.
What we cover within the group sessions
Within the sessions, we will offer you some educational input on a range of topics, as well as spending time in break-out groups to explore how different issues effect you and what can help. This will include:
* Different ways to experience and practice Mindfulness for well-being
* Understanding common mental health difficulties such as Anxiety & Depression
* Understanding what is at the root of all mental health difficulties and how we can respond to this
* The effects of Trauma and how to aid recovery
* Practical tools and techniques to aid well-being
* Chance to share your struggles and experiences in a supportive space with the other members of the group
Within the sessions, we will offer you some educational input on a range of topics, as well as spending time in break-out groups to explore how different issues effect you and what can help. This will include:
* Different ways to experience and practice Mindfulness for well-being
* Understanding common mental health difficulties such as Anxiety & Depression
* Understanding what is at the root of all mental health difficulties and how we can respond to this
* The effects of Trauma and how to aid recovery
* Practical tools and techniques to aid well-being
* Chance to share your struggles and experiences in a supportive space with the other members of the group
Mindfulness-Based Group Therapy can offer a potent experience compared to individual work. Here are some of the benefits:
1. Group therapy helps you realize you’re not alone.
According to research, many people enter therapy feeling they are unique in their struggles. They are the only one having the problems they have. When you work with your difficulties in a group setting such as this, these illusions can quickly be dispelled. While it’s true that each of us is unique and may have unique circumstances, none of us are alone in our struggles. Group therapy tends to reduce isolation and alienation. It increases the sense that “we’re all in this together,” and can normalise suffering.
2. Group therapy facilitates giving and receiving more support.
With some types of difficulties, in can be really hard to see reality on our own, to work out what is true, and how we are really perceived by others. One of the benefits of group therapy is is can help to dispel myths we may have created about ourselves. A misconception about group therapy is that members take turns receiving individual therapy from the therapist while others observe. However, members are actually encouraged to turn to each other for support, feedback and connection, instead of getting all of that from the facilitators. See more about the format below.
3. Group therapy helps you find your “voice.”
Our definition of the word "voice" here is "becoming aware of your own feelings / needs and being able to expressing them.” In our sessions you will be strongly encouraged to notice how you're feeling throughout the session and to share this in the group.
It's true that many people don’t know how they are feeling when they are interacting with other people, because it can be challenging to be self-connected when connecting with others. Developing self awareness is a key part of these group sessions, and will be what enables you to make changes to your life.
4. Group therapy helps you relate to others (and yourself) in healthier ways.
Often people don’t understand why their relationships aren’t working. In the safe atmosphere of group therapy, members can get honest feedback from others, in a caring and compassionate way, which can help to illuminate some unhelpful ways that we have been unconsciously relating.
This format can enable us to see ourselves with clarity through awareness itself and to see through the layers of self judgement we often have. Group therapy can illuminate what relating styles we follow, and give us opportunity to review if they are helpful or not. For example, do you only share positive information about yourself or things you’re struggling with? What parts of yourself do you let others see? What parts of yourself do you hide? How do you handle conflict? How do you get your needs met?
By exploring things in this way through mindful awareness, it helps us to see our tendencies and be empowered to make changes if these tendencies are unhelpful.
5. Group therapy provides a safety net.
As a group forms and develops, it becomes a safe place to reveal more of ourselves. Members might struggle with being authentic and speaking up for themselves in their lives. By engaging with group therapy, you become part of a held, supportive space where you are more fully seen than you are in day to day life. Of course, in the short run, this can bring challenges as it can be uncomfortable to be seen, but in the longer term this offers deep riches to personal healing and growth. It can help to build confidence within and outside of the group.
Some groups decide to create more support outside of the sessions, by creating a WhatsApp group for example. The group will decide on any out of sessions communication, this can be additional help and ways to keep in touch.
In addition to strengthening your relationships skills, reducing isolation and finding your voice, group therapy also can be especially valuable for individuals dealing with depression, social anxiety and life transitions.
1. Group therapy helps you realize you’re not alone.
According to research, many people enter therapy feeling they are unique in their struggles. They are the only one having the problems they have. When you work with your difficulties in a group setting such as this, these illusions can quickly be dispelled. While it’s true that each of us is unique and may have unique circumstances, none of us are alone in our struggles. Group therapy tends to reduce isolation and alienation. It increases the sense that “we’re all in this together,” and can normalise suffering.
2. Group therapy facilitates giving and receiving more support.
With some types of difficulties, in can be really hard to see reality on our own, to work out what is true, and how we are really perceived by others. One of the benefits of group therapy is is can help to dispel myths we may have created about ourselves. A misconception about group therapy is that members take turns receiving individual therapy from the therapist while others observe. However, members are actually encouraged to turn to each other for support, feedback and connection, instead of getting all of that from the facilitators. See more about the format below.
3. Group therapy helps you find your “voice.”
Our definition of the word "voice" here is "becoming aware of your own feelings / needs and being able to expressing them.” In our sessions you will be strongly encouraged to notice how you're feeling throughout the session and to share this in the group.
It's true that many people don’t know how they are feeling when they are interacting with other people, because it can be challenging to be self-connected when connecting with others. Developing self awareness is a key part of these group sessions, and will be what enables you to make changes to your life.
4. Group therapy helps you relate to others (and yourself) in healthier ways.
Often people don’t understand why their relationships aren’t working. In the safe atmosphere of group therapy, members can get honest feedback from others, in a caring and compassionate way, which can help to illuminate some unhelpful ways that we have been unconsciously relating.
This format can enable us to see ourselves with clarity through awareness itself and to see through the layers of self judgement we often have. Group therapy can illuminate what relating styles we follow, and give us opportunity to review if they are helpful or not. For example, do you only share positive information about yourself or things you’re struggling with? What parts of yourself do you let others see? What parts of yourself do you hide? How do you handle conflict? How do you get your needs met?
By exploring things in this way through mindful awareness, it helps us to see our tendencies and be empowered to make changes if these tendencies are unhelpful.
5. Group therapy provides a safety net.
As a group forms and develops, it becomes a safe place to reveal more of ourselves. Members might struggle with being authentic and speaking up for themselves in their lives. By engaging with group therapy, you become part of a held, supportive space where you are more fully seen than you are in day to day life. Of course, in the short run, this can bring challenges as it can be uncomfortable to be seen, but in the longer term this offers deep riches to personal healing and growth. It can help to build confidence within and outside of the group.
Some groups decide to create more support outside of the sessions, by creating a WhatsApp group for example. The group will decide on any out of sessions communication, this can be additional help and ways to keep in touch.
In addition to strengthening your relationships skills, reducing isolation and finding your voice, group therapy also can be especially valuable for individuals dealing with depression, social anxiety and life transitions.
Group Therapy isn't for everyone, it may not be suitable for you if:
- If you do not get along with meditation / mindfulness practice
- If you feel unable to receive any feedback, even if its supportive
- If you feel unable to tolerate the emotional process of others
- If you are unable to commit to the group and the process longer term
- If you have a severe psychiatric condition.
It takes strength, personal responsibility and some recognition of the needs of others to function well in a group.
Mindful Awareness
Mindful Awareness of a key skill that we will support you in realising the benefits of Mindfulness-Based Group Therapy.
We will support you to develop this inside and outside of these sessions.
We will encourage you to develop a mindful awareness practice in your day-to-day lives, to deepen your self awareness.
Most people are familiar with self awareness being developed through sitting meditation, but if you find this difficult there are simpler ways to develop this awareness in your daily activities. We hope that as you start to practice Mindful Awareness, it will become part of each moment of your day, enabling you more opportunities for choice about how to can respond to your difficulties.
We will support you to develop this inside and outside of these sessions.
We will encourage you to develop a mindful awareness practice in your day-to-day lives, to deepen your self awareness.
Most people are familiar with self awareness being developed through sitting meditation, but if you find this difficult there are simpler ways to develop this awareness in your daily activities. We hope that as you start to practice Mindful Awareness, it will become part of each moment of your day, enabling you more opportunities for choice about how to can respond to your difficulties.
Format of the sessions:
* Each session will begin with a 5-10 minutes of mindfulness practice. This maybe a guided meditation, or practicing mindful awareness a variety of different ways. We will use different practices at different points over the course of the term.
* From this, we will offer a some education input on different topics. (Check the version of group that you wish to attend for more details on this)
* We will then go into break-out groups with the support of one of the facilitators, to explore the personal impact of the educational material, and how you can apply this in your lives. Everyone will be encouraged to take an equal amount of time participating in this.
* We will support you to develop a range of different skills including
Focusing, Emotion Regulation and Awareness Practices.
* Each week we will end a couple of minutes of relaxation
* From this, we will offer a some education input on different topics. (Check the version of group that you wish to attend for more details on this)
* We will then go into break-out groups with the support of one of the facilitators, to explore the personal impact of the educational material, and how you can apply this in your lives. Everyone will be encouraged to take an equal amount of time participating in this.
* We will support you to develop a range of different skills including
Focusing, Emotion Regulation and Awareness Practices.
* Each week we will end a couple of minutes of relaxation
How and when does the group run?
All sessions are term time only, we will ask you to commit to a half term at a time, at the end of this, we will open the groups up for people to leave/join, then we will close the groups for another half term, and so on. Therefore you can just complete 1 half term, or stay for more, whatever best supports you.
Adults - Via Zoom
Fridays 5.30-7pm
Cost: £25 per session
(Session are paid in half term blocks, in advance of the start of the first session)
If you commit to joining the group for the half term, please make sure you can attend every week, only with exception of sickness. If you have planned holidays in this time, please look to join the following half-term.
Adults - Via Zoom
Fridays 5.30-7pm
Cost: £25 per session
(Session are paid in half term blocks, in advance of the start of the first session)
If you commit to joining the group for the half term, please make sure you can attend every week, only with exception of sickness. If you have planned holidays in this time, please look to join the following half-term.
Keeping everyone safe...
It' really important that we keep this as a safe space for everyone involved. Therefore we would not be able to invite couples or friend groups, as this would create an imbalance for the rest of the group.
Each group with have two facilitators to support you, and we are here to help make this a positive experience for you. If you are struggling in some way, please let us know, we are here to help.
All of our facilitators are supported by highly trained supervisors, to make sure we are offering you the best support in these sessions.
Each group with have two facilitators to support you, and we are here to help make this a positive experience for you. If you are struggling in some way, please let us know, we are here to help.
All of our facilitators are supported by highly trained supervisors, to make sure we are offering you the best support in these sessions.
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