GROUP THERAPY
Joining a group of strangers may sound intimidating at first, but group therapy provides benefits that individual therapy may not. Psychologists say, in fact, that group members are almost always surprised by how rewarding the group experience can be.
Groups can act as a support network and a sounding board. Other members of the group often help you come up with specific ideas for improving a difficult situation or life challenge, and hold you accountable along the way.
Regularly talking and listening to others also helps you put your own problems in perspective. Many people experience mental health difficulties, but few speak openly about them to people they don’t know well. Oftentimes, you may feel like you are the only one struggling — but you’re not. It can be a relief to hear others discuss what they’re going through, and realize you’re not alone. Art therapy groups can help alleviate these fears by using art activities as your “voice” to share your experiences. This can feel less confronting and safer in a group setting.
Diversity is another important benefit of group therapy. People have different personalities and backgrounds, and they look at situations in different ways. By seeing how other people tackle problems and make positive changes, you can discover a whole range of strategies for facing your own concerns.
*From APA
My Art Therapy Groups
I provide art therapy groups for Adoptees through Yoffe Therapy and Celia Center.
Only for adult adoptees, the objective of this 6-week closed group is to build resilience exploring the adoptee experience through art. Through art therapy, participants will explore weekly themes based on the 7 core issues of adoption (developed by Sharon Kaplan Roszia and Allison Davis Maxon) as it pertains to adoptees. Participants will collectively decide which issue, which we prefer to refer to as vulnerabilities, to work on for the session: loss/abandonment, rejection, grief, guilt/shame, identity, intimacy, control. The 6th week will be a cumulative session to say good-bye and close. Participants will build resilience, facilitate positive change, and enhance ability to cope with vulnerabilities through exploring the adoptee experience using art. I offer an evening and a day-time option. More details here.
Meet an Adoptee Artist Group is an opportunity for adoptees (and the general public) to learn about the creative work of adoptees worldwide. The goal is to build provide a space for adoptees working creatively to share their work and experience with other adoptees and discuss their process and journey. Attendees will learn about the creative work (visual art, sound art, literary works…) of adoptees and have the opportunity to ask questions and be in dialogue, fostering community.