What is counseling?

Counseling is not simply a professional therapist prescribing a prescription for change.

Most studies indicate that groups influence the behavior of their members and can bring about significant changes in their personalities. A group provides an opportunity where each member can openly discuss interpersonal problems and receive the necessary guidance. Many clients believe that their problems are unique and that no one else faces such significant challenges. This perspective often prevents them from thinking clearly and addressing their issues effectively. The various branches of psychology in the twentieth century have undergone numerous transformations, driven by the rapid expansion of science, the spirit of the times, and the specific needs of society. Group therapy is a product of such conditions, striving to create a natural setting that serves as a suitable framework for resolving psychological problems.

Our habits make our character.

One of the unique features of a group is that even the very first conversations provide the therapist with valuable information, especially the initial questions posed by group members.

Some believe that talking about life problems in a group is difficult. However, this belief often disappears immediately after joining the group—unless there are specific underlying reasons. Group members are so eager to be heard, so willing to share about themselves, and so profoundly introduced to their unknown aspects that I can confidently say a group can sometimes offer an even greater opportunity for growth compared to individual therapy.

Many times in group therapy sessions, we metaphorically place the merciless mindset of a parent—our inner critical and judgmental voice—on a chair and have conversations with it about our unspoken truths and buried feelings. We express the suppressed anger of years past and strive to learn how to love ourselves.

Instead of helping, let's use the word sharing.

Counseling is not merely about an expert therapist prescribing solutions for change. It is a collaborative effort in which group members and the group leader work together toward mutually agreed-upon goals. Members understand that they are responsible for their own behavior. Adlerians primarily focus on challenging clients’ mistaken beliefs and faulty assumptions.

From the very beginning of a group, the relationship between the leader and the members is collaborative, characterized by a shared effort to achieve specific, agreed-upon goals. Group therapists strive to establish and maintain an egalitarian therapeutic alliance and a one-on-one connection with each group member.