Theory in a nutshell

All of us are born into a group, starting with one or more parents, and possibly other siblings. The nature and quality of our early attachment with the group has profound implications for childhood and adolescent development.

When things go wrong during infancy and childhood (as they often do), normal attachment and developmental processes can be disrupted.

For example, a parent might be unwell for a long period of time, or parents might separate or get divorced; or there might be physical, sexual or emotional abuse at home, or bullying at school. The disruption may be unavoidable or it may be willful: either way, difficulties are likely to surface in the child, and these are usually 'acted out' behaviourally and emotionally as signs and symptoms of distress; but which are often misunderstood by adults and punished as 'bad behaviour'.

Later on, memories of the originating trauma may not even be clearly present, but the 'acting out' may continue, giving rise to various kinds of emotional distress and mental disorder, including depression and other mood disorders, and anxiety disorders such as panic, agoraphobia and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Eating disorders are particularly prevalent in young women, while certain types of so-called 'personality disorder' are becoming more common among younger people of both sexes.

In group therapy, traumatic events you experienced in the past, but were too young, inexperienced or otherwise unable to deal with at the time can be processed, worked through and made sense of intellectually and emotionally. This can bring about a profound sense of relief and the opportunity for personality growth and development.  The group presents a 'here and now' chance to 'repair' past emotional damage by helping you to interact with others in progressively more healthy ways.

As you gain confidence within the confidential and safe setting of the therapy group, your mental and emotional health can improve and daily life can become fuller and more enriched.