At Talking Therapies we run regular group courses
Our therapeutic courses and groups provide information and teaching skills to help understand how our problems are maintained and how this can be changed. All of our group sessions have a particular theme, although other problems are discussed in each of the groups.
The key skills taught within the groups are based mainly on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This type of therapy helps people to identify and change unhelpful behaviours and unhelpful ways of thinking that might be making their mood worse.
Most of the groups also include other strategies such as relaxation practice to address physical symptoms of depression and anxiety, and mindfulness practice to increase awareness of unhelpful thoughts and behaviours that have become ‘habit’. Other skills covered include distraction, self-soothing, problem solving and motivational exercises.
Each session runs for approximately 2 hours, including a comfort break midway through. Questionnaires will be completed at each session to see if there are any changes in levels of depression.
Each session includes a mixture of information giving, group discussion, small group exercises and skills practice. These are designed to be educational and skills focussed, and is not ‘group therapy’ or a forum for addressing individual personal problems (although these will of course be the focus of skills practice).
Group members will be expected to complete ‘homework’ between every session in order to practice skills taught in their own lives; homework will be reviewed as part of every session. Usually people that complete homework get better faster!
The overall aim is to enable group members to develop a clear understanding of their problems and learn positive strategies to overcome them.
If you are interested in meeting others experiencing similar difficulties to you, learning new ways to understand and manage problems as well as trying something slightly new, please ask more at your initial consultation with us. All groups are facilitated by trained therapists and cover the same content as 1:1 sessions.
Contact NHS Talking Therapies on 024 7667 1090 or complete self-referral form to discuss suitability for group courses.
Course Feedback
At the end of each group attendees are given the opportunity to provide anonymous feedback and share their experience with those who might be considering attending. Please see the video below to watch a brief video which includes some recent feedback
Benefits of Therapeutic Group Courses
Waiting times: There is a much shorter waiting time to access support through one of our courses.
Evidence Based: Just like our individual sessions, our courses are based on an evidence-based approach called cognitive behavioural therapy. Research shows us that learning cognitive behavioural skills in a group is an effective way of managing common mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression. It is an approach recommended by National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), which is an organisation who provide health services, like the NHS, with guidance on which treatments are likely to be most effective.
More Treatment Time: Accessing a therapeutic group course means you have access to much more in-session support time. For example, individual treatment sessions with a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners provides up to 6x30min sessions. The comparable group treatment gives you access to 6x2hour sessions, 12 hours of support overall! This means that we can cover a much larger range of topics and techniques during treatment.
Two Therapists: All our courses are facilitated by two therapists. This means you have access to twice the amount of knowledge and experience when compared to individual therapy.
Group Benefits: Learning CBT skills as a part of a group can be a powerful experience. Some people might initially find the prospect daunting, but being around those with similar difficulties can help to normalise our own symptoms and reduced the sense of isolation that can sometimes come alongside
difficulties such as anxiety and depression.
Convenience: Most of our groups are run remotely, the only requirements are that you have access to a private space and an electronic device capable of video calls (mobile phone, tablet, laptop, PC with a webcam) and a email address so that we can send you a weekly set of questionnaires along with any useful
resources
What will be required of me?
- To be open to learning new skills to manage your mood more effectively, and to take responsibility for making positive changes.
- To have a go at managing your symptoms a bit differently by using the strategies that are taught within the sessions, even if this seems difficult.
- To share your experience of trying out these skills if you feel able to do so in the group.
- To commit as best you can to attending all the sessions, and to working on the skills between sessions.
- To look after your own wellbeing and safety, and to actively seek support from Healthy Mind Service staff (or your GP between sessions) if you are struggling.
- To be respectful to other members of the group who are attending and abide by the group rules agreed in session one
NB. If one person’s behaviour is considered to have a negative impact on the other group members then the facilitators may ask that person to stop attending sessions.
What happens after the group sessions?
- Those group members that complete all the sessions will be offered a review four Sessions later to discuss their progress. Some groups manage this differently, but the course facilitators will explain all you need to do at the very start of your course.
- Most people will be discharged at this stage, however, if a need for further support is identified, for example self-help material, therapy books, community support groups, then this can be discussed during the review.
Who runs the groups?
These are run by therapists and psychological wellbeing practitioners working within the NHS Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull Talking Therapies service.
How are group sessions delivered?
We are running a variety of group sessions over the video-conferencing platform Attend Anywhere, which is really easy to use. These currently include:
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Managing Anxiety
- Managing Depression
- Living Well with Long-term Conditions
- Stress Matters
- Postnatal Emotional Wellbeing
- Mental Health and the Menopause
- Trauma Stabilisation
Feedback so far from virtual group session shows that our clients found them easier to participate in than a face to face group setting and really benefitted from the experience of those attending the groups, as well as from the facilitator.
Attend Anywhere for Groups User Guide [pdf] 760KB
Group Course FAQs
Will I have to speak in front of everyone?
We run the sessions exactly as we would if we were in person, so we do ask that all attendees have their cameras turned on. You won’t be put on the spot or asked to share anything personal in front of the group. The main aim of the groups is to learn proven techniques to improve our mental health. You will have the opportunity to share how you are finding techniques and give examples if you feel comfortable to do so.
What happens after the course?
For most people accessing one of our courses will lead to more positive mental health and you will be discharged from the service. If required your facilitators will offered you a review appointment at the end of the course to discuss any ongoing difficulties.
I’m unable to make a session, can I still attend?
We recommend attending all sessions of the course as each one will cover different information. If there are no other convenient dates then it is still ok to attend and miss a single session, please make the facilitators aware at the start of the course and they will be able to send you the relevant information and resources for the missed session.
Does group CBT actually work?
Yes! We have been running a range of groups and educational courses since our service began and there is a lot of evidence to show that accessing CBT in a group format can be just as effective as individual sessions. Generally the rate of ‘recovery’ is the same for our groups and our individual CBT programme, in fact some of our groups have a higher recovery rate then the comparable individual treatment!
I feel a bit apprehensive about attending a group.
You are not alone. Remember, depression can make us want to withdraw and
pull away from others, and anxiety can make us predict the worst and want to
avoid new situations. So a group can naturally feel a bit daunting. By simply
attending a group you’re starting to break the cycle of depression and/or
anxiety! Most people start to feel more comfortable as the group progresses.
Recovery & Wellbeing Academy Courses
The Recovery and Wellbeing Academy delivers an educational approach to courses and workshops where we share some of our experience and people go away with some helpful advice on each subject area. These are a useful place to start, progressing to the NHS Talking Therapies courses. The academy offer a wide range of FREE courses and workshops to anyone over the age of 18 living in Coventry and Warwickshire. More information on the courses the Academy offers.
The NHS Talking Therapies courses take an in-depth look into each subject area equipping you with therapeutic skills to help support your needs.