There are three phases to a creative process; 1) The inspiration; 2) The planning and implementing; 3) The unveiling.
The development of a psychotherapy group is just that, a creative process. The inspiration to the creation of group topics come directly from the clients I see each week- their struggles, their pasts, their trauma, their success, their wants and needs. I take it all into consideration as I reflect on my sessions. I then look closer. I see a need. A need for safety, community, and a need for somewhere to be heard.
Once I see a trend in either my clients alone or within the practice, I begin to plan. I use surveys to send to clients to gage their interest in being involved in a group. The survey will ask a range of questions which I then review and see what I need to do to meet the needs of these individuals. I talk with clients one on one about the survey, the topic, what barriers exist (day, time, budget), and what subtopics would be most beneficial to their healing process. I send out multiple surveys that continue to provide detailed information needed by the potential group members to make their final decision. Knowing I have a limited number of spots, I am sure to communicate on a regular basis with those interested. Currently, our group sizes are no more than 10 clients in one group. As a practice we foresee our group opportunities growing much larger. Possibly to the point of offering weekend long retreats.
At the point of having the potential group members, I begin to implement. Gathering resources from all over. I am deep into books, text of all kinds, Instagram, blogs, research-based articles, worksheets, and workbooks. This is my material building process. Throughout this process I identify what will be used as “in between session tasks”, in group activities, in group discussion, and some of the material is simply for the client to use outside of the group.
Throughout that time, final dates are set, documentation is signed, and the first group meeting is approaching. Phase three begins, “The Unveiling”. This is the most crucial part of the creative process for me as a therapist and group facilitator. From week one to the final group session, group members are unveiling who they are. They are face to face with my inspiration and the outcome of my planning and implementing process. They begin to unveil themselves. Allowing themselves to be seen. Seen by others who in the very beginning of this process were simply just another work of art. Now, they are much more than just another work of art. More than another project. They are the artist.
-Ashlie Cox
