Conflicts in Group Counselling

Thanks to the improved recognition of group therapy by practitioners employed in mental health services, many communities and health clinics have started to adopt the use and practice of this form of therapy alongside their medical regimen. Although group therapy holds great potential to be of important advantage to participants, it can also possibly create complications that are absent in individual psychotherapy. One of the most significant potential issues in group therapy is conflict between the group members themselves. However, with the presence of a well-trained and caring mental health counselor, such conflicts can often be quelled through mediated dialogue and a unique set of guidelines that outline conduct. When conflicts do arise, however, group leaders are ofttimes able to assist group members settle their issues, potentially leading to great insights.

As many group therapy meetings revolve around shared experiences or traits, such as a traumatic event, certain types of habits, health issue, or profession, personal perspectives about elements within discussions can often be very strong and contentious, resulting in the increased possibility of potential conflicts. In some instances these problems of possible conflict can be identified and stopped before they begin by the leading counselor, however in some other scenarios, the professional might opt to allow these areas of conflict to be aired in a bid to create room for a discussion on the individual variation in ideas. By doing this, a therapist is able to provide an opportunity for group members to observe things from another person’s perspective, thereby allowing them to heal better and appreciate their issues in the future.

Group therapy members may be adverse to experiencing arguments, as their memories of differences of opinion can usually be decidedly negative. Yet going through such conflicts within the safe, non-judgmental, and confidential environment of mental health care can provide a new and highly beneficial way of appreciating conflict, helping to uncover personal concerns. People thus come to increase their knowledge from being involved in such activity that conflict is not entirely negative, but instead can actually cause the development of positive thoughts and a new and enhanced outlook.

The contents found in this article is not intended to replace medical advice. Please consult a health professional in relation to any direct concerns or conditions you may have.

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Denver Psychologist Urges Couples to Think Deeply Before Moving in Together

The step of moving in with a boyfriend or girlfriend is one that’s taken by many people, often in multiple relationships. In many cases, deciding to live together may make a great deal of financial sense; rents are halved, grocery and utility bills are lowered, and money is saved on gas and other expenses associated with commuting to see the other person. In other instances, however, such financial considerations may not even be made; couples may simply move towards living together in a kind of unspoken progression. The familiar transition from casual dating to a more serious relationship is, for many people, echoed in the transition from living alone to living together. But in Denver,an active psychologist has recently concluded a study suggesting that cohabiting before marriage may increase the likelihood of serious conflict and, ultimately, divorce.

Scott Stanley, who is affiliated with the University of Denver, was intrigued by reports published before the turn of the century which showed that men who lived with their spouses prior to marriage were on average less dedicated to their partners and their relationships. Wondering why the choice to live together sooner might have such a significant affect on couples, Stanley worked with over a thousand of his own married participants. The study, which he co-authored, found that while those couples who moved in together after marriage had seriously considered or discussed divorce at a rate of ten percent, those who lived together prior to marriage were nearly twice as likely to have faced the matter, with a nineteen percent occurrence.

Stanley and his colleagues have suggested that moving in together as a matter of convenience, or due to simple social pressures or expectations, can have an adverse affect on relationships in that the serious commitments involves are not discussed. While people living separately tend to thoroughly discuss and consciously and verbally commit to each other upon deciding to marry, those who live together sooner may not make such well-defined decisions, opting for what simply seems like a reasonable path instead. “Sliding,” as Stanley calls it, between relationship stages may result in regrettable decisions and the desire to break free from what often becomes a web of unspoken obligations.

The quality of the Denver therapist community ensures that couples seeking professional counseling or therapy prior to making the choice to move in together or take greater steps towards marriage are met with able and caring mental health professionals. In the national and global arenas, as well, couples can turn to the insight and objectivity of therapists to help guide them through the stages of relationships with confidence and a great sense of personal power and determination. But even in the absence of professional care, taking the time to honestly consider whether cohabitation is the right answer may have benefits for a relationship well into the future.