Process Oriented Group Therapy
Process groups are interpersonal spaces designed to be safe and boundaried. These are groups designed for people to have the opportunity to talk about interpersonal challenges, and importantly, learn to interact with others in ways that enable us to work these challenges in a 'here and now' way. This can be achieved by increasing our capacity to reflect on our own feelings, wishes, desires, impulses, beliefs, and develop skills to articulate these to others, and find new adaptive ways of being with others.
While it is important to understand and gain insight from the past, the past is what is unchangeable, 'known' and historical. On the other hand, our future is full of potential, possibility and risks. A process group positions us directly in the realm of potential, 'now', which is the only place in which we can decide to transform what is 'known', outdated and repeated patterns of relating, to 'new' ways of being in the world. It is a place of potential and risk, but with boundaries that keep this a safe place of exploration sometimes thought of as a 'social laboratory'.
The Structure and Fees
Process groups run weekly, for 90 minutes, for either 10am or 5:30pm.
Process Groups are open-ended closed groups, meaning that the same members meet each week, let each other know if they are planning to leave the group, and means that others may reach out to the Facilitator (Chelsea) to join the group when space opens up. Process groups work by being able to form interpersonal connections within the group, and therefore is not a 'drop in and out' structure.
In regards to fees, we do not pay to attend a therapy session, but rather we 'rent a chair', so to speak, to be part of the process group. This fee is $65 a week. This idea that the chair is rented is rooted in the idea that a process group is an ongoing membership, and means that this fee is paid with or without you in that chair. Members are provided the opportunity to waive the fee up to three times a year for planned holiday, leave, or sickness. Members are encourage to stay in the group for 3 months, but are not obligated to do this. Full information on the group contract is available on request.
Medicare not only provides up to 10 individual therapy a sessions per year, but under that same referral, Medicare additionally provides up to 10 group therapy sessions a year too. This rebate is $49.05, leaving an out of pocket cost (gap) of $15.95 Members may continue to stay in the group beyond these 10 sessions, either paying privately, or with use of Health Insurance if applicable.
It can be hard to imagine what an interpersonal process oriented group therapy can look like. Though sensationalized, this American TV Show "group" illustrates what it is that can occur in group therapy. This show features Dr. Elliot Zeisel (Dr. Ezra Hertzfeld, "Doc"), a psychoanalyst specialising in group psychoanalysis.
Of note is how each member will come as they are, and engage in an open honest dialogue about their thoughts, reactions, feelings, wishes to each other. The therapist facilitates bringing about awareness to the dynamics between people, whole group enactments. It is up to the client to chose whether to make changes, shift how they relate to others and themselves. The group environment is a perfect place to experiment with new ways of being in the world.