The Benefits of Skills Groups and Workshops
By Sherrie Steinberg, MSW, RSW
Clinical staff in the Student Wellness Centres on both the Brantford and Waterloo campuses run a variety of psychoeducational workshops and clinical groups that we hope students will access alongside or instead of individual counselling. In the SWC, we talk a lot about the benefits of counselling, but did you know that there are unique benefits to therapeutic workshops and groups that one-to-one therapy can’t offer?
You Are Not Alone
You’ve probably had the experience of struggling with something privately and in silence until you began to talk to others and discover that others are challenged by the same kinds of issues. It is comforting and validating when you find out you’re not the only one. Groups provide this kind of support: they make you realize that other people experience similar challenges. When you are alone and struggling, it’s easy to feel you’re the only person who can’t handle a specific problem or who feels they can’t cope, and it can be very helpful to realize that your experience is not uncommon. You are not as alone as you might think.
Groups Provide a Sounding Board and Shared Wisdom
When a group of people talk together about a problem or an issue, there are as many unique perspectives as there are individuals in the room. In a group, you get to hear the insights of many people, and observe as they make their own realizations and breakthroughs. This means you can cover a lot more ground in a shorter time and gain many different perspectives as you work through an issue. You also get to hear the responses to questions other people ask that you might have been too shy to ask yourself.
Groups Can Propel You Forward
Hearing from others on how they've overcome a problem can be very encouraging, especially when you’ve been struggling on your own. During the group experience, you will likely meet people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Listening and learning from every member's perspective provides everyone with greater insight into their own personal growth and development, and it can energize you to confidently move forward.
Groups Promote Social Skills
It is very common to feel anxious prior to attending your first group, but most people feel relieved as they get into the sessions and feel increasingly comfortable as the sessions progress. Remember that it takes time to feel comfortable speaking up in a group, to adjust to group norms, and to experience the benefits of group. It is important that you share at your own pace. You won’t be the only person who feels nervous, and the facilitator will be aware of and sensitive to this.
Groups Teach You About Yourself
Because of the diversity of perspectives and experiences present, groups can be a way of uncovering the areas that may be blocking your ability to overcome your issues. Groups offer a confidential, safe space for you to gain self-awareness and awareness of others. If one of your goals is to develop your comfort or skills with sharing or speaking in group formats, this can be an opportunity to take small risks with challenging your “comfort zone” within this safe space. The experience often reduces loneliness, normalizes your experiences, promotes change in quick and meaningful ways, and helps you to learn and process new skills.
Our Groups Are Not Limited
There are no session limits on groups, and your student fees have already paid for the service, so joining is a way to receive more counselling than is possible individually.
Skills groups may seem intimidating, but they are a great way to meet other students who you can relate to and offer a great way to learn and grow with one another. In the Fall 2020 semester, our groups are running remotely on Zoom. Visit our website for current schedules, or ask your counsellor for information about our current group opportunities.