Group Therapeutic Support & GRP
What is Group Therapeutic Support or GRP and how can it help?
Group Reflective Practice (GRP) is a safe and confidential space where professionals can come together to share experiences and to reflect on their work and its impact on them, both personally and professionally. It’s less about detailed case discussion and more about understanding the individual, as well as group, dynamics and emotions involved in delivering the day-to-day work.
Group Therapeutic Support (also sometimes referred to as Group Supervision) is on the other hand more structured and primarily focused on the specific challenges of working in a particular context, or with a particular client group. It involves discussing specific cases and situations with a facilitator, and with peers, to gain insights and guidance, to give and receive constructive feedback, and to identify client management strategies and techniques.
Comparing approaches.
- Focus: Group Reflective Practice focuses on the emotional challenges and impact of working in a psychologically hazardous environment (ie a job role or work environment which has the potential to cause psychological or physical harm), while Group Therapeutic Support is more directive, practical and goal oriented.
- Structure: Group Reflective Practice is often more fluid and open-ended, whereas Group Therapeutic Support takes a more structured, directive and practical approach.
- Outcome: The aim of Group Reflective Practice is to increase self and other awareness, and to process difficult thoughts and emotions, while Group Therapeutic Support seeks to introduce and enhance practical skills and client management strategies.
Which suits best?
If the organisation’s primary concern is enhancing the practical coping skills and effective client management strategies within a team or group, then Group Therapeutic Support/Supervision may be most appropriate. By sharing experience and knowledge, the aim is to improve the skills and capability of both individuals and the group overall.
Group Reflective Practice is most beneficial when the organisation wants to prioritise the emotional wellbeing and self-awareness of staff working in psychologically hazardous environments. It can foster a sense of togetherness, creating a safe and confidential space to reflect on and process difficult thoughts and feelings that are, or might eventually, negatively impact on emotional and physical wellbeing.
GRP is often used alongside, or after, Group Therapeutic Support/Supervision to complement the development of practice skills with a deeper focus on the practitioner’s emotional and personal processing.
What are the benefits?
Both Group Reflective Practice and Group Therapeutic Support are essential for professional and personal development.
Reflective Practice allows for personal growth and emotional resilience, enhancing the practitioner’s ability to connect with, and understand, their clients.
Group Therapeutic Support/Supervision, meanwhile, sharpens practice skills and client/case management efficacy. Embracing both approaches can help foster a well-rounded and high-performing team.
Group Reflective Practice.
Group Reflective Practice can be helpful for or staff working in psychologically hazardous environments where they are regularly directly, or indirectly, exposed to traumatic events and/or distressing material.
It can also assist where staff are experiencing cumulative emotional strain, burnout, or compassion fatigue attributable to working with clients with complex needs and challenging behaviours.
Benefits include:
- Enhanced self-awareness
- A safe space to process difficult thoughts and feelings
- Improved problem-solving and decision-making
- Professional and personal growth
- Peer learning and support
- Critical thinking and creativity
Group Therapeutic Support/Group Supervision.
Group Therapeutic Support/Supervision can be a powerful means of reducing isolation, which is particularly relevant for staff working shifts, or regularly lone working or working from home. It can support the development of group cohesion and shared values.
Benefits include:
- Identify, build on and introduce healthy coping mechanisms and techniques
- Faster, more effective problem solving by drawing on the expertise of a group of people.
- Enhanced learning by introducing different perspectives from those with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- An opportunity to address the concerns and issues of individuals as well as an opportunity to develop teams and a teams-based approach.
Why choose Lena?
Our experienced and qualified Group Reflective Practice and Group Therapeutic Support practitioners provide a safe, supportive space for people to reflect, to understand each other better, to navigate team dynamics, and to understand the emotional impact of their work.
Customer Testimonials
Great facilitator, comfortable setting, useful for practice.
Feeling safe to share issues/challenges with colleagues.
It is helpful to have a protected time and space to discuss issues/challenges of the work.