The Group Effect
The Power and Gift of Group Work: It's Not About Avoiding Triggers
Group work isn't for everyone, and that’s okay. It’s an intense space, and it can bring up all sorts of feelings—excitement, vulnerability, fear, or even frustration. One thing that often happens in group work is that we get triggered by someone else’s energy or behaviour, and it can feel uncomfortable. But here's the thing: This is where the magic happens.
When someone triggers you in a group, it’s not about them—it’s about what’s coming up for you. That trigger is a gift. It's showing you something within yourself that wants attention, something that can be explored and healed. This is the power of group work: It’s not just about the collective—it’s about how your unique experiences, emotions, and reactions come to the surface in relation to others.
Embrace the Trigger, Embrace the Growth
Rather than seeing a trigger as something to avoid, we can learn to see it as an opportunity for growth. In group work, there’s no need to fear other people’s energy. If someone’s behaviour or energy stirs something within you, it’s a chance to reflect and ask yourself: Why does this affect me? What’s coming up for me right now?
The discomfort you feel is often the doorway to transformation. By staying present with those emotions and reactions, you open yourself up to deeper insights and shifts that might not come up in a one-on-one setting.
Grounding and Self-Reflection in the Group Space
At the same time, group work requires you to stay grounded in your own energy. You don’t need to manage anyone else’s feelings, and you don’t need to take on what others are going through. When you ground yourself in your own body, you give yourself the space to experience your own emotions without getting lost in the collective energy.
So, if you're feeling triggered, it’s not about controlling the room or fearing the energy around you—it’s about using that moment as an invitation to explore what's showing up for you.
Trust Yourself, Trust the Process
Group work is a unique experience, and while it can bring up tough moments, it’s also one of the most powerful places for self-discovery and growth. If you feel triggered, that’s a sign that something within you is ready to shift. Stay present, stay grounded, and remember: This process is about your journey and how you move through these moments.
Not everyone is ready for the intensity of group work, and that’s perfectly fine. But for those who are, there’s a depth of healing and transformation that can only come from being in this space together, working through what arises and moving toward a deeper understanding of yourself.