Group Counselling: Relationships in Focus
Available in: Perth Metro
Our free peer-support program gives people who are dealing with another person’s alcohol and other drug use a safe space to share their stories. To reflect on how they respond to its impact on their relationships. To develop practical, life-changing coping skills.
About the program
Across 6 individual sessions and 12 weekly group sessions, participants explore a range of concepts, with a focus on the effects of problem substance use and other dependent behaviours on the family unit. This includes:
- Understanding dependency. Providing a deeper understanding of the process of dependency.
- Change and relapse prevention. Learning about change and relapse prevention, managing expectations, preparing for setbacks and letting go.
- Self-responsibility and family dynamics. Understanding self-responsibility, the impact of substance use on family dynamics and practical coping skills and strategies.
In addition to these educational elements, the program provides space for group discussions that enable individuals and families to move forward and make positive, sustainable changes. Our focus is on ‘self first’ and helping participants determine what’s helpful and what isn’t when they respond to the impact of someone else’s substance use and behaviours.
How it works
The program starts with a personal intake session with an individual counsellor, followed by up to 6 individual and 12 group sessions. Our therapeutic peer-group sessions are led by highly trained and experienced facilitators who create a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment, fostering open dialogue and encouraging personal growth.
It’s a place where family members can share their stories, gain inspiration and build strong bonds with people who have similar experiences. Participants often join the program feeling alone and isolated. This form of peer support helps people with personal acceptance and processing emotions – participants realise they aren’t alone and feel more able to plan a path forward for themselves.
“I felt my guilt and shame lift and I was able to stop judging myself and focus on what was helpful and what was not. The sharing comfort and support from complete strangers responding to similar things is amazingly helpful.”
“I was able to make the shift to focus on and examine my reactions and responses first, actually increased the chance of being in a position to respond to my family member in a mutually helpful way.”
There’s no obligation. Participants can try a group or two and choose not to continue. Moreover, they can share as much or as little as they choose in the peer-group sessions – the program’s individual counselling sessions provide an opportunity to process at a deeper level with their individual counsellor.
Group counselling programs run every week, with sessions during the day and some evenings. If you would like to join the group, please speak to your counselloer or contact reception on 9416 4444 or email clientservices@holyoake.org.au