"The best part about being with a group is that you don’t have to do everything alone.”
– Anonymous
This quote may seem like a pretty obvious truth – of course you won’t do everything alone if you’re in a group!
However, it is an obvious truth that we often forget.
It can be easy to slide into isolation when we’re feeling down, especially for those suffering from an invisible illness or problem, but this is the exact opposite of the action that is most likely to help us climb out of that pit. Loneliness and isolation tend to breed more loneliness and isolation, but making the (often difficult or exhausting) effort to connect with others is just the thing we may need to start feeling better.
As uncomfortable as it may sound, sometimes sharing difficult thoughts and feelings in a group setting can be extremely effective in facilitating healing.
This quote describes how sharing can help:
“Some of the most comforting words in the universe are ‘me too.’ That moment when you find out that your struggle is also someone else’s struggle, that you’re not alone, and that others have been down the same road.” – Anonymous
In The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, Irvin D. Yalom outlines the key therapeutic principles that have been derived from self-reports from individuals who have been involved in the group therapy process:
The American Psychological Association notes another important benefit of group therapy: diversity. We all have different experiences, backgrounds, and personalities, which leads us to our own unique perspective on the world. Working with a group can help clients see things from a new perspective, which may illuminate new ways to take on old problems and new strategies to overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable (APA, 2017).
To make sure you are taking advantage of these benefits of group therapy, follow the following suggestions:
Here's How The Program Works:
We as individuals learn best when our learning is kept accountable, and strengthened by others.
No matter what you are facing today, there are others who have been in the same place as you.
The Individual Counselling Program involves 2 important pieces:
Our Individual Counselling Program Includes:
The Anxiety, Depression, and Stress program helps you address:
Participants attend 12 consecutive sessions, intermingling group and individual therapy, which helps integrate skills and tools into their lives and supports the process. Each group session stands on it's own; however, the coming together of all the information completes the picture and solidifies the learning.
Participants also have access to an ongoing portion of the therapeutic process that includes online resources and classes, and coaching calls.
To receive your certificate of attendance and access to the online resources, you must have completed all 12 weeks of the program.
The fee structure for the Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Program is as follows:
For those registered in the complete Anxiety, Depression, and Stress program at Michelle Neustaedter Enterprises, the fee for this 12-week program is $1,350** (including gst).
**(There is a sliding scale for the fee structure based upon income and bills - and the fees can be paid in up to 3 installments plus an enrollment fee. If you have EFAP, EAP, BlueCross or Greenshield, part of the fee can be direct billed without out of pocket cost to you. If you have a health spending account, Manulife, SunLife, ClaimSecure, or any other benefit program, we can discuss further what the fee structure will look like. Depending on your plan, we will determine what the individual cost to you is and create your individualized payment plan)
There are 4 options for the group program:
In The Office Options
Virtual - Online Group Meeting
What you will learn in the course of this program:
Your Individual Therapist will also help you to integrate these tools and more to ensure maximum shifts in results and expand on your learning as well as deal with any specific issues you would like to discuss.
To make your individual sessions as productive as possible, we will send out a list of questions we would like you to have answered before coming to the individual one-on-one counselling sessions.
You will receive a small pocket journal to be used in the counselling process, a pen, a duotang for your group sessions, and a certificate of attendance upon completion.
At Michelle Neustaedter Counselling, we will support you through your toughest challenges such as:
Relationship Distress
Trauma
Stress
Depression
Anxiety and Panic
Eating Disorders
Grief and Loss
Family Counselling and Education
Parenting Skills for Single Parents, Reconstituted Families, or Nuclear Families
Crisis Support
Anger Problems
Health Issues
Work-Life Balance
Personal Growth
Self-Esteem
These challenges make you feel exhausted, helpless, and hopeless. Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up. It is important to realize that these negative views are a part of the problem and typically do not reflect actual circumstances. It may be time to reach out, find your strengths and free yourself from the snare.
"If you want tomorrow to be different than today, you have to learn something today (do something today) that will make tomorrow different; otherwise, you don't really have a tomorrow, you just keep living a longer today."
typical response time : 24-48 hours