Group Therapy
What Are the Benefits of Group Therapy?
In group therapy, there is an emphasis on giving and receiving feedback. The interaction with other group members allows participants to uncover blind spots as members give honest and compassionate feedback on what they see and hear in each other as sharing occurs. Self-disclosure offers participants the experience of realizing they are not alone in their struggles; this often reduces shame and offers needed support.
This type of honest and vulnerable sharing allows a unique opportunity for participants to challenge and re-examine assumptions about themselves, others, and their relationships with others, while learning skills needed to navigate their unique hardships and relationships and becoming aware of poor coping skills. As members hear different perspectives, they may find new ways to move forward in their lives.
What Is a Process Group?
A process group is a form of group therapy that is intentionally left unstructured to allow clients to bring up what is presently happening in their lives. These may be issues related to a diagnosis, a problem they are in therapy for, or an issue they struggle with and have not sought treatment for. Those issues may represent a range of topics such as depression, anxiety, marriage problems, struggles with recovery from addiction (drugs, alcohol, food, sex, pornography), past trauma, codependency, boundary issues, etc.
It is not a requirement for participants to currently be involved in individual therapy. However, it may serve them better as group time may not allow for enough time to explore the full range and impact of the issues that come up in the group.
What is a skills based group?
A skills group commonly has a title that reads something like “8 Weeks of Group Guided Meditation.” These groups encourage people who share a common interest to come together to learn and practice skills such as meditation, deep breathing, healthy communication or conflict management. Often, these groups are time-limited and structured in their content and homework. Skills groups are very common as many people find value in learning alongside their peers well after their “school days.”
What is a CBT group?
Similar to a skills group, a CBT group is comprised of people wishing to learn the science behind how our thoughts affect our actions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is backed by thousands of research studies that show it’s effectiveness in treating many mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and addiction. Since many of us struggle to untangle our thoughts from the rest of our brain, even without a mental illness diagnosis, learning how to identify negative thought patterns and reframe them is very popular — and very effective — today.
What is a Psycho Education Group?
A psychoeducational group is a specific type of group therapy that focuses on educating clients about their disorders, related behaviors, consequences and ways of coping. It's based on the principles of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This type of group presents structured, group-specific content, often taught using videotapes, audiocassette, or lectures.
What is a Sex Addiction/Relapse Prevention group?
Relapse prevention groups are often part of an addiction recovery aftercare plan and are many times held in outpatient treatment centers. Addicts seeking recovery and sobriety find great comfort in meeting regularly with others walking the same path. Addiction, by nature, is isolating and shaming, so gathering together in a group directly combats those two characteristics. These types of recovery groups are a mix of both skills-based and process-oriented groups and are typically time-limited and structured.
Below is a list of groups offered. If you have questions or wish to learn more about these groups, lease e-mail us at jeromeford@marriagefamilyworks.com or select a group below to register.
Sexual addiction (CBT/Psycho education)
FAQs
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MFW is open Mondays and Fridays 9am-2pm and 5:30-7:30pm. Appointments can be made by calling
757-912-3928 or clicking the link below.
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MFW does not currently accept insurance. However, MFW has partnered with Erica Baker and Associates Counseling Services that allows use of most insurances such as Atena, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Behavioral Health. Call to verify your insurance is accepted.
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Cancellation or “No Show” Fees are not covered by insurance. We have a 24hr cancellation policy. In order to avoid the cancellation fee, we ask that you please provide us with advance notice. Prepare / Enrich assessment is NOT covered by insurance.
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Payment is due at time of service. MFW accepts payment in the form of check, cash, credit card, HSA or FSA card. Fees are based on your health insurance’s contracted rate and type of service received. For a 45min session, the fee range is $80-$250. The cost is based on time spent in therapy and type of service received.
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No. We do not currently have a sliding fee scale. However, we are looking into incorporating a sliding fee scale in the future.
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Services last as long as you and your provider agree they are necessary. However, MFW holds the belief that individuals do not need to be in therapy for years when evidenced based tx modalities are used. We provide cost-effective, short-term, and results-oriented services using evidenced based treatment. You can expect to be in therapy on average between 8-12 weeks.
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Sessions are scheduled on a weekly basis. But may be tailored to your schedule. Research shows therapy is most effective with more frequent sessions and sufficient follow up care for maintenance of gains made during treatment. As you approach the “ending phase” of treatment and your goals are being reached, sessions will begin to be tapered off and entered into maintenance sessions as needed.
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To get started, go to https://marriagefamilyworks.clientsecure.me. To schedule an appointment. You may also download the simple practice app. In the app, search for Jerome Ford and schedule an appointment. You may also e-mail MFW at JeromeFord@marriagefamilyworks.com or call at 757-912-3928 to schedule a free phone consultation.
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Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems. MFTs treat a wide range of serious clinical problems including: depression, marital problems, anxiety, individual psychological problems and child-parent problems.
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MFTs have graduate training (Master’s or Doctoral degree) in Marriage and Family Therapy and at least two years of clinical experience. Marriage and Family Therapy is recognized as a “core” mental health profession, along with Psychiatry, Psychology, Social Work and Psychiatric Nursing.
Have a question that wasn’t answered here? E-mail us at jeromeford@marriagefamilyworks.com or call at 757-912-3928