Groups & Workshops
Group therapy is a unique relationship in which a group of people who are likely experiencing similar difficulties come together to both give and receive help from one another. There is an extensive body of literature related to the effectiveness of group psychotherapy. Feeling part of a cohesive group with shared experiences begins to reduce isolation and normalize the impact on the human experience of suffering. Seeing others who are further along in their journey of change, and learning through the therapists’ reactions and shared information that change is both possible and inspires hope.
VAULT Psychotherapy Services attempts to create an environment where honest, interpersonal exploration will occur that will benefit all members. The groups we offer are both psycho-educational and process experiential. Process experiential meaning that the the focus is the “here and now” versus “there and then.” We focus on process versus story, lean into and understand our discomfort to better understand our possible barriers to change while facilitating vulnerability via engaging as a leader with vulnerability. Being able to hear someone else’s reality without interjecting our own commentary can help us be better listeners. Willingness to enter conversations brave enough to engage vulnerably even when we don’t know what to say can hold space for new levels of authenticity.
Though it may be intimidating to envision sharing your path of recovery and well-being with a group, group therapy may be a worthwhile alternative to pursuing individual psychotherapy. It is often more cost-effective than individual therapy, and yet can be just as efficacious as therapy provided one-on-one. At VAULT Psychotherapy we offer evidence-based group therapy treatments that are structured in approach, but also allow you to connect with others while you learn to challenge your own patterns and internalized rules for expressing and experiencing emotion.
“There is no human deed or thought that lies fully outside the experience of other people.”
— Irvin D. Yalom
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Emotion Focused Skills Training for Parents/Caregivers (EFST-P)
Emotion Focused Skills Training for Parents guides parents to navigate their own and their child’s emotions, enhance their own and their child’s motivation for change, and transform problematic relationships in their family. This is an evidence-based intervention, with research results showing that even the core basic program is sufficient for significant change to occur.
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Emotion Focused Group Therapy (EFT-G)
Do you struggle with shame, fear, and isolation that are hidden beneath symptoms of depression or anxiety? This group makes use of EFT interventions in a group setting to undo aloneness and meaningfully reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. This group has a focus on working in real time with emotion experience and expression. This is a closed group format.
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Emotion Focused Skills Training for Adolescents (EFST-A)
In this group we work towards two primary goals: (1) increase emotional self-efficacy and (2) enhance self-awareness. A major focus is developing an understanding that the behaviours that have been getting them in trouble were fueled by an attempt to handle painful feelings and from this point supporting them in moving towards change. Click below for more information.
FAQs
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It’s not unusual to feel uneasy or embarrassed when first joining a group, but soon you begin to develop feelings of interest and trust. Most clients find that group therapy provides a great deal of relief because it allows them a chance to talk with and listen to others who are experiencing similar problems- in a private, confidential setting. Many people who have experienced group therapy believe that working together with others is helpful and they feel better by participating in this form of therapy. We understand that it can be intimidating to sign up for a group but if you have reservations speak to your therapist about how you might benefit from attending one of our groups.
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Therapy is effective because individuals feel safe to share private information in a confidential atmosphere. A safe environment is created and maintained by both the group facilitator(s) and its members. Mutual respect and a chance to create trust are primary goals of the group process. Providing a safe environment is based on confidentiality. All group members are expected to respect the confidentiality of the group. Group members are asked to make a commitment to protect each other’s confidentiality by agreeing not to divulge information that would violate the identity of others outside the group. While the group leaders cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality (since we cannot control the behavior of group members), we find that members are usually very respectful of each other’s privacy.