Group Therapy in Greater Manchester and Online

About group psychotherapy

Group therapy with me offers you a safe space to explore your current dififculties in the company of other and receive support.  I offer groups  in-person in Bolton and Wigan, Greater Manchester. and online.

If you're struggling with anxiety, grief, burnout or feeling socially isolated, a therapy group can help you gain a better understanding of yourself and your relationships.  Group therapy is a place where you can explore themes of identity, family and social issues and navigate life transitions in the company of others.

A therapy group is sometimes compared to a hall of mirrors. The group provides multiple perspectives and offers opportunities to see  ourselves more clearly through the experiences and reflections of others.  Listening to the difficulties of other group members, their emotional responses and coping straegies can shine a light on your own difficulties,  helping you feel less alone and more resourceful.

Humans are by nature social beings and you probably spend a great deal of your time in groups. Families, friendship groups, work teams and study groups often play a significant part in our lives. We find support and safety in these groups and they are often a source of conflcit, giving rise to feelings of frustration, unfairness and envy., which we're required to navigate in our day to day lives withour the support of a therapist to act as faciliatator   With this in mind, it is not unusual for people to find groups challenging and you may find the propsect of group therapy both exciting and daunting .

If you are feeling curious about starting group therapy and also a little uncertain, I offer you this:

Many of your individual difficulties will arise or have their beginnings in family life and in the wider context of  your relationships with others, your interactions with your environment, community and  society as a whole. Past negative experiences in groups may have left you feeling unsure of yourself and anxious about social situations. Group therapy offers a supportive group setting, with a experienced psychotherapist in the role of facilitator.  Group therapy provides you wth a unique experience where your difficulties and anxieties can be explored, understood and addressed.

Being in a therapy group, with me, offers a sense of belonging and opportunities for connection, insight and personal growth. Group therapy has the potential to be an enriching and transformational experience.

How can group therapy help you?

Group therapy can help you with:

  • Enhancing your relationships and improving social confidence.
  • Reducing your anxiety, depression, social-isolation and loneliness.
  • Processing feelings of guilt, shame, anger and frustration.
  • Coping with bereavement, loss and traumatic events.
  • Exploring aspects of identity, diversity, community, cultural heritage and fostering a sense of belonging.
  • Successfully navigating areer transitions, retirement, academic or professional worries and work related stress.
  • Building self-esteem, confidence and assertiveness.

You will benefit from group therapy with me if you:

  • Have an interest in experiencing therapy in a group.
  • Wish to learn more about your way of being and relating to others.
  • Are curious about how past experiences might be affecting your choices and relationships in the present.
  • Would like to learn some TA models.
  • Have a desire to connect with others and share experiences.
  • Are willing and able to commit to regular attendance.

My approach to group therapy

If you join a therapy group with me,  you will find a safe and containing space where communication, sharing and thinking together are actively encouraged.  There is emphasis on putting thoughts, feelings, ideas and reactions into words through free-floating dialogue.  Creative expression through the sharing of dreams, stories and metaphors is warmly welcomed.  I offer an initial online consultation free of charge and we will meet individually several times to help you prepare for joining the group.

Regular attendance is important to the life of the group, providing contiunity and a suppprting group cohesion.  When you join a grup with me, you are committing to attend regularly.  Group sessions are planned twelve months in advance, with planned breaks in Spring, Summer and at Christmas.  Before you join, you will receive a programme of dates, so that you can plan around other commitments.

My therapeutic work with groups is grounded in Transactional Analysis (TA). This is underpinned by an understanding of group dynamics, gained through a wealth of practical experience in organisational and community development settings, as well as continuing advanced studies in group analysis.

TA was originally developed as a group psychotherapy.  It provides some great models for helping us think about ourselves, our ways of being and our relationships and interactions with others.  TA theory also offers a framework for thinking about how our early experiences of family life influence our thoughts, actions and interactions in the present.

Alongside TA, I have a strong interest in group analysis and hold an IGA  diploma in groupwork practice.  In September 2023, I began an advanced training in group analysis with the IGA ( Institute of Group Analysis). This training is ongoing.

Group Analysis is a method of group psychotherapy that was developed by S.H. Foulkes. Group Analysis draws on concepts from psychoanalysis, developmental psychology and gestalt psychology. In addition, Group Analysis incorporates ideas from sociology and anthropolgy, which I feel contributes greatly to our understanding of the functions of groups in society.

Foulkes believed that social and environmental issues were to be found at the core of personal development., (Barnes et al 1999). This belief fits with my own way of understanding our human difficulties, wellbeing and growth and informs my work with individuals and groups.

The group analytic approach offers a way of thinking about groups and understanding what happens in and between groups, which I believe has the potential to be value in all aspects of our personal, professional, family and community lives. My approach to group therapy is informed by group analytic theory and principles and as part of my training in group analysis,  I am accepting enquiries for a weekly, in-person, group analytic group to begin in Autumn 2026.

Find out more

If this sounds like it might be of interest, I am currenlty accepting enquiries for group therapy. Contact me to find out more about joining a therapy group and to request a free consultation.