Group therapy at Delamere

Alongside medically assisted alcohol detox, drug rehab and one-to-one counselling, group therapy is a key component of treating substance abuse at Delamere. Delivered at our calming residential retreat beside Delamere Forest, group therapy sessions can help those addicted to drugs, alcohol or other vices to connect with others who are going through the same challenging emotions and behaviours. Here, we share more about the benefits of group therapy for substance abuse and why we believe it works well in combination with other clinically proven therapeutic techniques available at Delamere.

    Read our 85 reviews 
   
 
 
     Each review has a personal story.  Read and write reviews

What is group therapy?

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy which involves trained counsellors leading discussions with a small group of people. Typically, it begins with members of the group introducing themselves and sharing why they are attending. The therapist will then work with the group exploring different themes with the aim of achieving a shared goal together over a period of weeks.

Pioneered by renowned psychoanalyst and psychiatrist S.H. Foulkes and Wilfred Bion, group therapy was originally used as a method of combatting trauma and fatigue following the Second World war. Today, group therapy is used to treat a variety of different psychological disorders, such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic behaviours, as well as alcohol addiction, drug addiction and other addictive behaviours.

Find out more about one-to-one therapy

Group therapy for substance abuse

At Delamere, our group therapy for substance abuse is delivered as part of a comprehensive residential rehab programme. The first phase of your stay will often involve tending to the physical aspects of recovery. It may include a clinically supported alcohol detox or drug detox and begins with a light introduction to therapy and addiction education.

We understand it can be daunting to suddenly start sharing your innermost thoughts and feelings with strangers, so we make sure transition to group therapy is a process that happens slowly and only when you feel emotionally and physically strong enough. During the second phase of treatment you will begin a more intensive, structured programme which includes group therapy, peer support and one-to-one counselling.

Alcohol addiction and drug addiction can often leave people feeling isolated and alone in the world.
At Delamere, we encourage guests to share their thoughts and feelings in a group therapy setting which can help them to express themselves more effectively, accept critique and advice from others and lay the foundations for re-entering society. We believe that encouraging guests to share their experience can help to make sense of their story and how their addiction started, in order to move forward with their recovery and on with their lives.

What are the benefits of group therapy?

At first, the idea of participating in group therapy might feel overwhelming, but many people who are struggling with substance abuse find that group therapy helps them feel less alone and offers another branch of support alongside their one-to-one therapy sessions. Talking with peers who share similar experienced provides an invaluable support network which will help you during your stay at Delamere and beyond.

Group therapy for substance abuse helps our guests to:

Learn more about the recovery process
Support and motivate others to reach their goals
Develop healthy coping techniques
Find out how others are tackling the same problem
Maintain a sense of structure and routine
Develop a long-term support network
Feel reassured and optimistic about the future

All our group therapy sessions take place alongside one-to-one counselling and a range of effective complimentary treatments, such as Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy, art psychotherapy, fire ceremonies, nature walks, breath work and yoga, which are an integral part of our unique treatment model here at Delamere.

Types of group therapy at Delamere

Our group therapy work and one-to-one sessions support our guests to explore a wide range of theories and models, including psychodynamic approach, underlying trauma in addiction, social learning, socio-cultural perspective and attachment theory. Many of our qualified holistic therapists have personal experience of dealing with addiction and can help to put you at ease in a supportive and welcoming setting. Our group therapy for substance abuse ranges from psychoeducational sessions to learning new skills in creative workshops.

Psychoeducational therapy groups

Psychoeducational therapy groups are designed to educate guests on substance abuse, its related behaviours and consequences. This type of group therapy can help participants become more self-aware, understand the process of recovery and learn techniques for growth and change.

Interactive group discussions

Group discussions can help people to improve their interpersonal skills and share their coping strategies with others. We may work on topics such as Stress & Anxiety, Anger, Mindfulness and Self Esteem to help people adopt new ways of coping with challenging situations and channel the positives.

Skills Development Groups

Some groups focus on the particular set of skills a person needs to overcome their alcohol addiction or drug addiction. This might mean learning how to identify triggers and develop coping mechanisms or pinpointing and modifying emotional responses to certain situations. Skills Development workshops can help people to make positive choices and avoid hampering their recovery.

Interpersonal Process groups

As part of our group therapy provision at Delamere, our trained counsellors also run interpersonal process groups. These are based on psychodynamics – looking back on a person’s early life experiences and subconscious behaviours that drive their personality. This includes exploring themes such as Acute Childhood Experiences (ACE), Shame and Guilt and past traumatic experiences.

Everyone responds differently to group therapy and some approaches will resonate with you more than others. Our holistic therapists always put the person at the centre of the treatment and will tailor sessions to suit your individual needs. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but we will do all we can to make sure you find our group therapy work valuable and empower you to overcome your addiction for life.

If you or a loved one would like to find out more about group therapy sessions for any addiction in the supportive environment of Delamere, please give us a call. Contact Delamere

Find out more about holistic therapy