What are psycho-educational groups?
Psycho-educational groups are structured therapeutic counseling group sessions which focus on a specific topic, such as Domestic Violence. Frequently psycho-educational groups are limited in the number of weeks they meet and are closed groups; meaning no new members are added after the group begins.
How do they work?
Routinely, each group session focuses on a specific subtopic. For a group with domestic violence as the topic, subtopics might include Identifying Abusive Patterns, Healthy Relationships, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Each group session often builds on the previous session. Because of this attendance and a constant member roster are of significant importance.
Why are they beneficial?
Unlike process or counseling groups, psycho-educational groups are considered theme-specific with the majority of the group discussion relating back to the overall topic. Members explore and gain insight about their unique life experiences while gaining information and access to published literature regarding the topic of interest. Frequently out of session activities (e.g., homework) provide group members the opportunity to further explore how their life experience relates to the educational information addressed within the group. Group sessions often incorporate these homework assignments into the discussion, providing group members the opportunity to share their personal experience through discussing their reactions and engagement in the homework assignments.
For information on our current psycho-educational groups,
click here.
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to be whole again"
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