Counselling Service

Small Group Counselling

Introduction

Shared counselling is a process in which three or four people with some concerns or experience in common meet with a counsellor to work together to address the negative impact of those concerns or experiences in their lives.

The idea is based on:

• believing that people are experts in their own lives;
• a commitment by the counsellor to a sharing of power;
• valuing friendship and connection.

This way of working was first used in the early nineties at Dymphna House, a service in Sydney. Since its early days, shared counselling has been shaped by the views, ideas and suggestions of those who have participated in it. We would like to acknowledge the pioneering work of those participants and counsellors in developing these ideas.

How does it work?

This would be an alternative to individual counselling (you wouldn't do both) and people would be expected to stay as long as they felt the need to. Counselling would continue until all members felt they had finished. People would be free to leave, however, when their needs had been met. This means that the group could reduce in numbers and end up with one person in individual counselling.

Who is it for?

People who have valued their experiences of shared counselling have made comments such as:

• "One -to-one counselling is too intense for me"

Or, in contrast:

• "In large groups I feel like I become invisible, I feel like I get lost"

The group would be offered to people who have sufficient in common to come together in this way.

If you would like to find out more or participate in shared counselling, we suggest you make an appointment to talk with one of the counsellors. We can also provide you with articles to read. If you are interested our receptionist has copies.