All About Group Music and Art Therapy
Group Therapy: The Whats, How’s, and Why’s
Happy August! As fall comes around the corner, we are prepping to run the next session of our inclusive therapy groups here at The Sonatina Center. We currently run music and art therapy groups for children ages 2 - 14 and for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
What exactly is group therapy?
Group therapy is a therapeutic environment facilitated by a therapist for multiple individuals sharing a similar age, experience or support needs. Our fall groups meet every week for 12 weeks, with the same time, therapist, and participants every week. Led by a board-certified music therapist or art therapist, they utilize creative mediums to build community, facilitate self-expression and try new skills.
How is it different from individual therapy?
Group therapy’s social nature allows for participants to explore and develop their social and communication with similar peers. They can develop friendships, navigate potential conflict, and develop self-expression skills, coping skills, and regulatory tools in an interpersonal context. Therapeutic impact is generated from opportunities to interact between participants that mimic the real world with the added safety of peer support and therapist structuring.
Is it still therapy?
Yes! Our group members are entitled to the same rights to privacy and confidentiality as individual clients. For many, the social nature of groups creates motivation to attend every week and helps them develop peer connections that seeing a therapist 1:1 cannot. If you are hoping your loved one would benefit from support in social, communicative or emotion regulation areas, a group can be a great fit!
What can I expect during a group?
You can expect a greeting and closing ritual, music, movement, art-making, play, and structured opportunities for self-expression and exploration. Group structure and activities may vary week-to-week but you can always expect to enter a welcoming space that offers unconditional acceptance, support, and encouragement. Some weeks might be harder than others but our facilitators are always there to support group members in their own discovery, learning, and growth.
How do I know what group is for me?
Starting this fall, we are using a new registration system for our groups to ensure a good fit for everybody interested in creative arts therapy services. Once you determine which age range group you are interested in, you will schedule a 30-minute intake. This helps us to get to know you, your hopes for therapy, potential support needs, and how the client might do in a new setting with new peers. After your intake, you are ready to sign up for a group!
To see our full schedule, facilitating therapists, pricing, and sign-up for your intake, visit our website at TheSonatinaCenter.com/Group-Therapy. The deadline for fall group registration (including your intake appointment) is August 30th. Groups will run the weeks of September 13th - December 6th. Reach out to us at Info@TheSonatinaCenter.com with any questions, we hope you are as excited about therapy groups as we are!