Tele-groups are weekly group meetings linked telephonically through a conference call service. Groups generally have a focus or topic around which the group seeks to explore and understand, and are guided by a professional therapist. The group functions much like a therapeutic group except that participants are not in the same physical space. This requires a clear understanding of protocol for participation, not unlike any in-person group.
The intent of the tele-group is to provide a secure sharing environment for individuals to explore feelings, information and issues to gain a deeper understanding of themselves. As a group therapy modality, the tele-group model addresses constraints of geography, time and cost. It can be a viable and accessible alternative or complement to individual therapy.
