Why are Groups helpful?

What makes small groups so effective and helpful? Well, let’s start with the fact that groups are very biblical. The Bible tells us to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2) and Scripture is full of passages emphasizing the importance of fellowship with one another. Let’s list a few factors, backed up by research, that have proven to be powerful regarding the small group experience. One of the most well-known leaders in the field of psychology, who has researched and written extensively on the power of groups, is Irvin Yalom (2005). From his experience and research, Yalom compiled a list of “curative factors” that help identify and define the group process.

• Installation of Hope—We all know the power of hope for a hurting person. Regardless of whether the struggles with addiction, depression, divorce, grief or even the battle with a physical illness like cancer, the research is clear that helping a person find hope is the first step on the road to healing. It is easier to have hope for your own journey if you can look into the eyes of another who shares the same path and see they are making their way out of the darkness. It also helps when that person looks at you and tells you that you can do it too.
• Universality—Isolation and feeling alone are fundamental to most emotional struggles. The group experience helps us see that we are not alone and that there are others who are experiencing the same things we are walking through.
• Imparting of Information—The group allows a forum for hearing what was helpful to others who share our experience and pain. We can gain insight and information from the stories of others in the group.
• Altruism—While the one-on-one helping relationship is generally about receiving help, the group experience is about both receiving and giving. Group members are able to reach out to others who are hurting. Through the group, you are able to give back or “pay it forward.” Research is clear that giving to others is a powerful agent of change and healing.
• The corrective recapitulation of the Primary Family Group—Yalom believed that the small group served as a microcosm of other social groups, including families, workplaces, even society itself. This allows us to better see how we interact with others, work out problems, have a safer and more positive experience in a group, and maximize opportunities for personal and relational growth.  
• Development of Socializing Techniques—The small group is an ideal environment to learn the necessary life skills of being and interacting with others in a healthy and productive way.
• Imitative Behavior—A group allows individuals to see the behavior of others very clearly. It allows them to see what works when interacting with others and what behaviors don’t work well. Then, they can practice the behaviors that are effective and hopefully alter those that are not.
• Interpersonal Learning—Often, we see the world from only one perspective—ours. The small group experience gives perspective and balance, allowing us to see the world, particularly ourselves, through the eyes of others.
• Group Cohesiveness—A small group functioning effectively provides a sense of belonging and importance to others thereby creating the right environment for change.
• Catharsis—This is the classic example of “bearing one another’s burdens.” The group gives us a safe place to express and explore our entire range of emotions, especially the uncomfortable emotions which tend to be suppressed in other environments.
• Existential Factors—Groups allow us to see and understand that others may have different views, perspectives and values. We become more compassionate when we see into the lives and hearts of others who are different from us in culture, race, gender, age socioeconomic status, etc.

If groups are so incredible and powerful, why isn’t everyone in a small group? The first answer is that the experience can be very intimidating for many people who have never been in a small group. The majority of people have great anxiety at the thought of talking in front of strangers, especially about intimate and personal issues like their pain and struggles. So, getting people to show up at the first group session can be a challenge.

Second, not all groups are good groups. When a group is structured and led correctly, it provides a safe environment where members can learn, grow, be challenged and be supported.  However, when a group is not set up correctly, or when leaders are poorly trained, equipped or supervised, a group can be a painful, counter-productive experience for its members.

As with most things in life, the negative experiences get more press and attention than the positive ones. In other words, one negative group experience in a church or ministry can impair a small group or support group ministry for years to come.

                We at The Center for Christian Counseling Consultation and Training work very hard to make sure the group experience is both positive and healing. Please check out the various group experiences we offer. In the tabs, scroll over upcoming events, followed by scheduled events and click on groups. This will show you the current groups running or planned. If you go to the ‘Ways We Can Help’ tab, scroll over ‘Available Events,’ and click on ‘Available Groups’, you can see what groups our therapists are qualified to cover.