I finally started going to group therapy after four years of individual sessions and I was horrified. I am usually a person who keep my emotions and problems to myself so when I started going to group and having to speak openly about things to anyone other than a licensed professional I was very uncomfortable. I have an anxiety disorder so speaking about things that could possibly make people, even complete strangers, not like me or think bad of me is one of my greatest fears.

However, when I started group I felt oddly comfortable. Knowing that these people were in the same boat as me made me feel better. We were all there to support each other on our journey back to where we wanted to be. I hard with them things I’ve never shared before and I wasn’t scared or uncomfortable. Speaking to strangers that you know you won’t see outside of the room about incredibly personal things is oddly comforting. Their opinions don’t matter, they don’t affect your life so you can say whatever you want.

Group therapy throws you into a world that most people have never experienced but it changes the way you see others and yourself. Finding other people that will support you no matter what and you aren’t afraid to share things with is priceless. Everyone is going through something and group taught me to support others unconditionally and that is a lesson everyone should learn.