Parenting Pointers: Online Counseling, Part 4

This is the final post in a four-part series.

For this post, I'm going to touch on group counseling. Group counseling is a unique type of counseling in that it opens the floor up to other people. This allows for sometimes a much deeper level of sharing and wider range of experiences. Group counseling is facilitated by a trained professional to help filter things that come through the group and put it in context - for example, if a group member was suggesting something potential harmful, or something that would only work in limited situations, the counselor is able to make participants aware of that.
Many of us engage in informal group counseling - moms' or dads' night out, parenting groups, etc. Group counseling is often similar - a group of people coming together, usually around a specific context or struggle, to work together to help improve the way each person responds to struggles. Some groups are closed, and always have the same members in them. Others are open, so the members could change. Both have advantages - with one, it's a little easier to build trust, with another, it opens things up to people being in different places on their journey at different times.
Some examples of group counseling - grief and loss, trauma, eating disorders, or more. They can have different forms - workshops, retreats, outings, expressive therapy, and more. With different purposes and different formats, it might take a little bit of effort to find the right one for you, but it would be worth it if it's beneficial. A good counselor is able to help point you in the right direction if it turns out that you're not in a group that's going to be helpful for you.
Right now, most people are limited to online counseling or telemedicine. While it's not always a perfect substitute for face-to-face counseling, it can help fill the void left by not being able to meet in a provider's office.
If you're looking for counseling, ReGain can help connect you with the right provider. They have a great FAQ section that explains how it works, who online counseling is suitable for, the types of counseling they can match you with, and (even more importantly) who it's not suitable for. It's a little bit unique in that it's asynchronous - that is, the conversation is not happening in real time. That's why it's not necessarily suitable for every situation - sometimes a more urgent, immediate contact is needed. However, for many situations, it can be a benefit. You don't have to schedule appointments, leave your house, get a baby-sitter, etc. You can communicate with the provider when it works for you and when you need it, and they will respond accordingly. For many people who need a third-party, but not for an urgent need, this model is great. They know they're getting responses from someone who has the training and background to provide qualified answers, but they're able to do it at a time that works within their lifestyle. If you'd like to learn more, check out their website!