Will your group help cure your phobia?

by Richard C. Raynard, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist, Licensed

I receive many calls each month from people asking about phobic groups. Many do not know the difference between self-help groups, support groups, and therapy groups. Knowing the difference can help save enormous time and energy, and can help to keep a phobic person on track and optimistic about their recovery. Groups which focus on symptom-swapping, horror stories and other negatives can be destructive. They can actually set back your progress, take away your confidence, and leave you feeling hopeless. Use the following guidelines to help decide which is best for you.

___________________________________

Self-help groups are often groups which

have been formed by a phobic person

who has completed a certain stage of recovery

and is feeling good about themselves.

___________________________________

The recovered or recovering leader often wishes to help others who are as stuck as they once were. The group meetings are usually very informal and members are free to participate or not. There is usually never any feelings of obligation to continue or need to make specified progress. Self-help groups are often selected by phobics who are first getting started. It can be an excellent place to learn that you are truly not alone.

___________________________________

Support groups can either be formed

by an individual or individuals

who have been phobic

and wish a more structured setting,

or by a health care professional

who wishes to form a group

for clients to provide support and

encouragement for one another.

___________________________________

Although there is usually some information, direction, and group activities, the main focus is usually support. They are not meant to be substitutes for active programs with trained leaders who specialize in phobias, but they can be excellent ways of speeding up recovery.

___________________________________

Therapy groups are usually always

formed by a professional

who has been trained in phobias.

___________________________________

Here, the focus is very directed and specific. Much like individual therapy, a heirarchy and specific goals are set. The group members work together, giving encouragement, support and suggestions towards one another, and at the same time receiving the instruction, support and advice of the professional leaders. Some groups travel together for active practice and exposure. A therapy group usually uses a wide range of methods to reach their goals, such as relaxation training or assertiveness training. Some are directed towards types of phobias such as fear of flying or agoraphobia.

There are some ground rules which apply to ANY useful group:

1) The group must have a common goal and specific direction (in this case overcoming phobia).

2) The group must have a leader. Leaders can change at specific intervals so everyone has a chance, and so that no one person gets "stuck" in this role.

3) There must be no symptom-swapping, no negativism, no put-downs, no story-telling. Support groups are not a place to discuss family or relationship problems. These problems may require the help of a trained therapist.

4) The group must be action-oriented, with the common goal of doing what is necessary to overcome phobias. It is a place to report back on your accomplishments, receive positive feedback from members of the group, also to plan activities to do together, so that practice becomes more fun while you are expanding your world.

5) Everything said in the group remains confidential within the group.

6) Everyone must have a chance to talk and share.

For more information on treatment methods, you may visit www.panicdoctor.com/treatments.htm. Dr. Raynard's latest book, Panic Free, covers this and other topics in much greater detail.
.