Spring Break
Psycotherapy not as scary as it sounds
Marwa Younis
Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Culture
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One of the many free groups at UMKC, a psychotherapy group, hopes to give students a place to go to make positive changes in their lives.
Psychotherapy is a form of therapy involving a small group of people and facilitators. Group therapy gives people a chance to take a good look at themselves.
"Group therapy is a safe place where people are encouraged to work through their issues," said staff psychologist and group coordinator Allison Roodman. "The difference is that the facilitators and other members can help change unproductive patterns by giving feedback about how they perceive you and by offering alternative ways of behaving."
Psychotherapy may sound harsh to some people, but Roodman wants to assure students group therapy is a safe way to learn and practice new ways of doing things.
Students can join to discuss interpersonal issues, feelings of isolation, loneliness or eating issues.
Group therapy can be helpful in many ways.
Roodman said it doesn't matter what concerns you may have about yourself, and it can be helpful to discover other people are experiencing the same feelings.
One student said "group therapy is like a set of braces, carefully adjusting the way we see ourselves, pulling the views of ourselves and others back in line with the way things really are."
The group aims to focus on what is happening in the moment. It is not an advice-giving session or a social get-together. The facilitators are there to guide the conversation in a productive direction.
Everyone should get something out of it and learn something new about themselves.
When joining the group, students make a commitment to themselves; it may take a leap of faith but most students find it beneficial.
Roodman said people who stay say they benefit from it and they look forward to talking and being heard. The feedback from other members is what separates group therapy from individual therapy.
Groups are forming now. If interested, contact Allison Roodman, staff psychologist and group coordinator at (816) 235-5798.
Sessions will either be held in the Mind Body Connection Center or the counseling center at 4825 Troost Ave. All UMKC students are welcome.
my9w4@umkc.edu
Psychotherapy is a form of therapy involving a small group of people and facilitators. Group therapy gives people a chance to take a good look at themselves.
"Group therapy is a safe place where people are encouraged to work through their issues," said staff psychologist and group coordinator Allison Roodman. "The difference is that the facilitators and other members can help change unproductive patterns by giving feedback about how they perceive you and by offering alternative ways of behaving."
Psychotherapy may sound harsh to some people, but Roodman wants to assure students group therapy is a safe way to learn and practice new ways of doing things.
Students can join to discuss interpersonal issues, feelings of isolation, loneliness or eating issues.
Group therapy can be helpful in many ways.
Roodman said it doesn't matter what concerns you may have about yourself, and it can be helpful to discover other people are experiencing the same feelings.
One student said "group therapy is like a set of braces, carefully adjusting the way we see ourselves, pulling the views of ourselves and others back in line with the way things really are."
The group aims to focus on what is happening in the moment. It is not an advice-giving session or a social get-together. The facilitators are there to guide the conversation in a productive direction.
Everyone should get something out of it and learn something new about themselves.
When joining the group, students make a commitment to themselves; it may take a leap of faith but most students find it beneficial.
Roodman said people who stay say they benefit from it and they look forward to talking and being heard. The feedback from other members is what separates group therapy from individual therapy.
Groups are forming now. If interested, contact Allison Roodman, staff psychologist and group coordinator at (816) 235-5798.
Sessions will either be held in the Mind Body Connection Center or the counseling center at 4825 Troost Ave. All UMKC students are welcome.
my9w4@umkc.edu
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