How Psychoeducational Group Therapy Can Help Phobias

How Psychoeducational Group Therapy Can Help Phobias Phobias Treatment Print How Psychoeducational Group Therapy Can Help Phobias By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. Learn about our editorial policy Lisa Fritscher Updated on August 16, 2019 Tom Merton / Getty Images More in Phobias Treatment Causes Symptoms and Diagnosis Types Did your therapist recently suggest group therapy as part of your treatment plan for a phobia? That wouldnt be unusual. A psychoeducational  group is a common component in treatment plans for phobia, which includes  agoraphobia,  social phobia (social anxiety disorder), and a  specific phobia, an exaggerated or irrational fear of a specific object or situation. Common Characteristics of Psychoeducational Group Therapy A psychoeducational group is a specific type of  group therapy  that focuses on educating clients about their disorders and ways of coping. Its based on the principles of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Your psychoeducational group is likely to consist of members that all share the same diagnosis. In this case, education tends to focus on coping with that specific disorder. In other groups, members may have very different diagnoses, and the educational focus is on practical life skills such as living within a community or accepting rules. The leader of the psychoeducational groups you attend could be a mental health expert, a peer counselor who shares a similar diagnosis, or members of the community. There are specific formats for certain types of psychoeducational groups, but many follow a more free-form, eclectic approach. Treatment for Adolescents With Social Phobia A psychoeducational group is the first part of  a successful school-based treatment plan for adolescents with social phobia called Skills for Social and Academic Success (SASS). The afflicted students gather in small groups for 12 weekly sessions of 40 minutes each. The group leaders guide each session and supportive peers who dont suffer from this mental disorder are in attendance, too. During the first session, the group leaders use psychoeducation in a group setting to: Normalize the experience of anxietyPresent the behavioral symptoms and let students share their own symptomsGive students space to discuss their negative thoughts and how avoidance  affects their livesIdentify students goals for the SASS program The next four topics presented in the subsequent sessions of SASS are: Realistic thinkingSocial skills trainingExposureRelapse prevention The 9 Best Online Therapy Programs Examples of Psychoeducational Group Intervention for a Specific Phobia A psychoeducational group intervention is an effective approach for reducing the symptoms of the social anxiety known as erythrophobia, a fear of blushing, and the specific phobia arachnophobia, a fear of spiders. When it comes to a fear of blushing, a study published in the journal Clinical Psychology    Psychotherapy found that when 47 erythrophobia participants attended one weekly  psychoeducational group session for six weeks, they showed significant  improvement from baseline on a Blushing, Trembling, and Sweating Questionnaire. In regards to the specific phobia of spiders, a pilot study published in a German medical journal on child psychology evaluated 36 children between the ages of 8 and 10. Researchers wanted to try and reduce the likelihood of developing  this common fear using a  psychoeducative group program. After completing the program,  both boys and girls showed a reduction in their fear.   10 of the Most Common Phobias A Word From Verywell If you think you may benefit from this type of therapy, consider discussing it with your doctor. For instance, its possible that a psychoeducational group on living with social phobia can teach you new ways of relating to strangers.