Alcohol Management Therapy Group

This is a weekly therapy group for people who struggle to stay in control of their alcohol consumption. Typical clients may binge drink on a night out and not drink at other times, or might only drink occasionally but when they do they cannot stop. Perhaps they allow anger or aggression to overwhelm them when they drink. If you have tried other programmes, but continue drinking and want to stop, or want to reduce the quantity or frequency of your drinking, or if you’re drinking in secret, or you feel that drinking is the only way you have to cope with life’s challenges, you are likely to find that this group will give you the support and skills to move forward. Participants may be sober for some time, even years but want therapeutic support through a group process. Participants do not need to identify as an alcoholic or totally abstain from alcohol, though as with all therapy, clients are asked not to consume alcohol or drugs prior to their sessions.

Drug Management Therapy Group

This is a weekly therapy session for people who struggle to stay in control of their drug use. It is for those who recognise that they were not in control of their own lives while using chemicals. The group sessions aim to support people who have stopped using the chemical they were dependent on and want to explore the underlying issues that made them so. Participants may have recently attended a detoxification or rehabilitation programme, or may have found the strength and or support to stop using in another way. The aim of this group is to support participants who have been through the difficult struggle of turning their lives around, to remain drug free. We will explore the cycle of addiction, offer support to enable participants to manage the triggers that draw them towards using again and help them take control of their own lives, recognising the choices they have and their ability to stay in control of their own futures.

Food Management Therapy Group

This weekly therapy session is for people who have issues with food, including people who have and have not been diagnosed with eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia etc. It is also for those who have difficulty eating in public or can only eat certain types of food, resulting in this food problem having a negative impact on their day to day functioning. Participants may over-eat, or have an addiction to one or more food items or food is problematic in some way in their lives. There is no agenda to ‘make’ participants adhere to any predetermined goals or to attain a certain weight, size or look. This group will create a space where participants can come and talk openly about their experiences and struggles with food, listen to each other and contribute to and be part of a shared group experience.

HIV Positive Men’s Therapy Group

This therapy group is for men who have received an HIV positive diagnosis. It will create a supportive environment where participants can explore and discuss the complexities of living with HIV, the physical impact the virus has on their bodies, as well as the emotional impact of living with it and talking about it to others. The focus of this group is to support each individual to become more self accepting, to explore the effect the virus has on their lives and on the lives of those around them. It will be a process group, facilitated by a BCS therapist. However the members may decide to allocate part of each session to exploring a specific HIV related topic and its impact on them and on each other.

Each group will be different by the very nature that different people will be part of it. The therapist’s role is to facilitate the functioning of the group, support each participant to have his/her voice heard and hold the boundaries of the group. The therapist may also offer his own input, or offer the group some experiential exercises or opportunities. Each group will be organic and therefore will not be expected to develop in the same way or direction. Paramount will be the needs of the group and the individuals within it. There will be a review point built into each group cycle, and participants are encouraged to give feedback so that we can improve and fully meet their needs.

Confidentiality is an important factor in any therapy and all participants will meet with the group facilitator to assess their needs and ensure they meet the criteria for the group. The therapist will answer any questions and explain how the group will work. This will ensure that applicants join the right group for the support they are looking for. All applicants will be required to sign a confidentiality statement agreeing to keep information about other members and what they disclose in the group confidential.