The Barnes Center at The Arch offers multiple Group Therapy options every semester. This spring, there are 15 options! You can sign up for group therapy and discuss group options by calling the Barnes Center at The Arch at 315.443.8000. They’ll schedule an initial consultation for you to meet with a therapist and talk about your group interests.
What is the point of going to group therapy instead of individual counseling?
While group therapy may not always be for everyone, studies show that group therapy is actually more effective than individual therapy. According to Psychology Today, individual therapy is good for understanding your history, fears and insecurities, whereas group therapy is ideal for connecting with others, experiencing intimacy and building relationships. Groups can act as a support network, and group therapy is also helpful to normalize your experiences. It can be easy to feel like you are alone in your difficulties or insecurities, but group therapy is a great way to realize that this is not true. Moreover, it can give you the opportunity to be vulnerable and uncomfortable in a safe environment, improving communication and social skills. You can always attend individual therapy in addition to group.
There are so many groups, and I’m not sure which one to register for. How do I pick?
Deciding which group to go with might come down to your schedule. For example, you might have a few that you are interested in, but you realize when registering that two of them happen during your classes. Another technique you can use is to ask yourself what you are interested in. There are groups that are skills-based, process-based and some groups that are both. Skill-based groups focus on developing helpful skills and techniques, while process groups involve more self-disclosure and are meant to help students process their own personal experiences. Process-based groups also give the potential to learn or grow from seeing your peers doing the same. You can find descriptions of the group options on the Barnes Center’s .
How many students tend to be in groups?
This depends on the group you are registering for. In general, groups tend to be on the small size. Some groups might have less than five, but some might be larger, like the Mindfulness and Self-Compassion workshop because that one involves less self-disclosure. You can ask about the size of the group you are interested in when you call to register.
I have a marginalized identity and would feel more comfortable meeting with people who have the same identity as me. What should I do?
This semester, there are two groups specifically for those with marginalized identities—”Black, Indigenous, People of Color Students: Releasing the Invisible Weight” and “Gender and Sexuality Affirmative Therapy.” In addition, if you visit the Barnes Center’s , you can learn more about the staff therapists, their therapeutic styles, professional interests and what, if any, groups they facilitate.
What do students have to say about their group experience?
“Group therapy has helped me realize that I am not alone in my difficulties on campus. I used to think that there was something wrong with me for feeling the way that I felt or having the experiences that I had, but going to group helped me realize that, even though it might not seem like it, many people struggle with these same issues—things like fitting in, feeling shame, or having relationship issues. In addition, it has opened my mind to other people’s diverse experiences and has offered a nice, supportive environment to share these things.” –Anonymous, Class of 2022
“Group therapy has helped me a lot over the years. Being in a talk therapy space with a group has helped me get in touch with my own feelings, which I have struggled to do on my own. Additionally, it has helped me develop coping skills, provided me with support for my own maladaptive coping mechanisms, and offered encouragement when I needed it.” –Anonymous, Class of 2021
If you have any other questions or concerns, you can always reach out to the Barnes Center Counseling team at 315.443.8000 or email barnescenter@syr.edu.
Written by Lia Figurelli ’22, College of Arts & Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Barnes Center Peer Educator