Group Counselling

"Three keys to more abundant living: caring about others, daring for others, sharing with others." William Arthur Ward

Groups play a vital role in how we develop. As we move through the various stages of our lives, we learn about who we are and how we are perceived by interacting with family members, classmates, colleagues, and the community. We learn that "there is strength in numbers," "no man is an island," and "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts." In fact, we come to understand that our basic survival is dependent on our interdependency on others. So it makes sense that group counselling should prove an effective and meaningful source of helping and healing for its individual members.

What It Is:

There are two types of groups being offered.

1) Psycho-educational group

• Structured with a definite beginning and end.
• Once the group begins, no new members will be admitted.
• There is a finite number of sessions, usually between 12-16.
• Each session lasts 90 minutes.
• The focus is to learn information, ideas and skills about how to manage difficulties that members may be facing.

2) Support group

• Structured but open-ended.
• Members can enter or leave the group whenever they choose.
• Group can continue as long as its members choose to continue.
• Each session lasts 90 minutes.
• The focus is on giving and receiving support to bolster morale and confidence.
• Participants generate topics of discussion each week.

How It Works:

The counsellor works with group members to establish a safe and trusting environment in which they can:

• Express their thoughts and feelings openly
• Receive support and comfort from others
• Learn about themselves in relation to others
• Develop skills to improve their relationships

How it Benefits You:

There are many benefits to being a member of a counselling group.

• It is an affordable but powerful mode of therapy.
• Sharing stories with others, we realize that we are not alone in our feelings, fears and fantasies.
• Playing out real life situations within the confines of a safe and supportive environment helps us to explore parts of ourselves that we may have been afraid to try out in the real world.
• Working together with others, we may come up with better solutions to problems than we may have reached on our own.

Choices of Group Activities:

1) Psycho-educational Groups

a) Twelve Weeks to Self-Esteem - starting January 2010

• Reduce self-doubt and self-critical thinking
• Strengthen your relationships
• Enhance your self-esteem.
• Change your thoughts, moods and behaviours
• Develop a stronger sense of self-respect and self-worth

b) Are You At War With Your Body? - starting May 2010

• Identify and break old habits related to eating and dieting
• Learn to eat intuitively
• Change your thoughts, moods and behaviours
• Develop a stronger sense of self-respect and self-worth

c) Being There - starting September 2010

• Identify your communication style
• Learn to express your ideas and opinions
• Say "no" without guilt
• Build your self-confidence
• Become more authentic in your interactions with others

2. Support Groups

a) Being Single in a Couples World (for the single person)

b) Unemployment Blues (for the recently unemployed)

3. Career Workshops

a) Activate Your Career Through Networking (half-day)

b) What Do I Do Now?  (2-day Career Planning workshop)

For further information and registration, please call (416) 498-1352 or email barbara@barbarafish.com.