Better Together: Why Group Counseling is an Important Discipleship Tool- Part 1
Better Together: Why Group Counseling is an Important Discipleship Tool- Part 1
August 29th, 2023
By Leslie Peacock
Group counseling is an effective tool for discipleship, growth, and change in our lives. Group Counseling not only encourages our connections with others but also provides a safe and confidential space to practice things like effective listening, empathy, and vulnerability.
There are many benefits to Group Counseling, but one I’ve heard consistently over the years from participants is that they feel “seen” by others. What is it about being “seen” that feels so good to us? Being “seen” isn’t exactly an emotion. It’s not like being watched, but more that I’m recognized, understood, and affirmed. There’s a deep validation when we are seen, and it was God’s design for us to experience this. In the first chapter of Genesis God says, “Let us make mankind in our image” (Gen. 1:26) and as God addresses the world, his intention for man and woman was not simply to live together but that we would be known by one another.
When God brings Eve to Adam, she mirrors Adam to herself as if saying, “I’m not just a Helper to Adam, but I’m helping him to see himself.” The Bible consistently tells us that we don’t really know ourselves until we see ourselves in someone else’s eyes. And it feels good!
We see our need for others in neuroscience too. Dopamine is known as the “feel good” hormone in our brains. It gives us a sense of pleasure, and our brains are wired to seek out behaviors that release dopamine in our reward system. When you’re doing something pleasurable, your brain releases a large amount of dopamine. You feel good and you seek more of that feeling.
When we feel seen or known the brain releases dopamine in our bodies, and that feel-good-feeling makes us want to pursue more of it—to seek deeper relationships. It’s what allows us to be more open and vulnerable as we feel safe with others.
However, many of us don’t have these kinds of relationships in our lives. Maybe it’s hard to open up to friends or family for fear of judgment, criticism or advice. Addictions are on the rise due to self-isolation because the absence of social connection and support intensifies the struggle and perpetuates a cycle of relapse. For many of us, our
anxiety and depression increases because lack of social interaction worsens our emotional distress–increasing stress, fear, and loneliness.
So, what is the solution? God made us a lot like plants; just as plants need light and nutrients to grow, we need other people to grow and change too. He made us to be known by others, and when we are connected to them in safe and life-giving relationships, we will thrive. We need relationships to grow, but we also must learn how to cultivate them in ways that are safe, trustworthy, and life-giving.
Group Counseling gives us an opportunity to be seen and known by others in a safe and confidential space guided by a trained counselor who can help reinforce our listening, empathy, and vulnerability. If you want to practice safe relationships, opening up, and sharing your struggles, a counseling group is a great way to build safe and trustworthy relationships. Brene Brown says, “We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.”
Love is at the center of our growth, and developing these kinds of relationships in opportunities like Group Counseling can transform our lives and our communities. The Barnabas Center regularly hosts Group Counseling to help facilitate deep connections with one another around a particular subject and enhance our personal growth and change. We would invite you to consider one of our upcoming groups. Please visit our website at www.barnabascenterhou.com for more information about upcoming groups and reach out to us at connect@barnabascenterhou.com with any questions about upcoming Group Counseling.
August 29th, 2023
By Leslie Peacock
Group counseling is an effective tool for discipleship, growth, and change in our lives. Group Counseling not only encourages our connections with others but also provides a safe and confidential space to practice things like effective listening, empathy, and vulnerability.
There are many benefits to Group Counseling, but one I’ve heard consistently over the years from participants is that they feel “seen” by others. What is it about being “seen” that feels so good to us? Being “seen” isn’t exactly an emotion. It’s not like being watched, but more that I’m recognized, understood, and affirmed. There’s a deep validation when we are seen, and it was God’s design for us to experience this. In the first chapter of Genesis God says, “Let us make mankind in our image” (Gen. 1:26) and as God addresses the world, his intention for man and woman was not simply to live together but that we would be known by one another.
When God brings Eve to Adam, she mirrors Adam to herself as if saying, “I’m not just a Helper to Adam, but I’m helping him to see himself.” The Bible consistently tells us that we don’t really know ourselves until we see ourselves in someone else’s eyes. And it feels good!
We see our need for others in neuroscience too. Dopamine is known as the “feel good” hormone in our brains. It gives us a sense of pleasure, and our brains are wired to seek out behaviors that release dopamine in our reward system. When you’re doing something pleasurable, your brain releases a large amount of dopamine. You feel good and you seek more of that feeling.
When we feel seen or known the brain releases dopamine in our bodies, and that feel-good-feeling makes us want to pursue more of it—to seek deeper relationships. It’s what allows us to be more open and vulnerable as we feel safe with others.
However, many of us don’t have these kinds of relationships in our lives. Maybe it’s hard to open up to friends or family for fear of judgment, criticism or advice. Addictions are on the rise due to self-isolation because the absence of social connection and support intensifies the struggle and perpetuates a cycle of relapse. For many of us, our
anxiety and depression increases because lack of social interaction worsens our emotional distress–increasing stress, fear, and loneliness.
So, what is the solution? God made us a lot like plants; just as plants need light and nutrients to grow, we need other people to grow and change too. He made us to be known by others, and when we are connected to them in safe and life-giving relationships, we will thrive. We need relationships to grow, but we also must learn how to cultivate them in ways that are safe, trustworthy, and life-giving.
Group Counseling gives us an opportunity to be seen and known by others in a safe and confidential space guided by a trained counselor who can help reinforce our listening, empathy, and vulnerability. If you want to practice safe relationships, opening up, and sharing your struggles, a counseling group is a great way to build safe and trustworthy relationships. Brene Brown says, “We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.”
Love is at the center of our growth, and developing these kinds of relationships in opportunities like Group Counseling can transform our lives and our communities. The Barnabas Center regularly hosts Group Counseling to help facilitate deep connections with one another around a particular subject and enhance our personal growth and change. We would invite you to consider one of our upcoming groups. Please visit our website at www.barnabascenterhou.com for more information about upcoming groups and reach out to us at connect@barnabascenterhou.com with any questions about upcoming Group Counseling.
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