Seventy4 offers a weekly single sex therapy group for both men and women.
Many people prefer to be in a group with members of their own gender as they feel more able to share their thoughts and feelings around recovery.
There are a maximum of 8 people in the group and they last for one and a half hours.
Many clients who attend the gender groups also choose to have individual counselling as well. By attending both individual and group therapy, clients have a much broader 'package of care' at Seventy4.
The Groups
The gender groups are facilitated by qualified counsellors. Addiction is a specialist area of therapeutic support and Seventy4 clinicians are highly proficient within the field.
Through sharing feelings, thoughts and experience around recovery, members of the group have the opportunity to work towards a clearer perception of how they relate to themselves and others.
It also helps to build trust for people who have avoided developing relationships with their own gender.
Clients find it very helpful to be able to discuss their role in family life and the impact on recovery with members who are or have in the past had similar experiences and can get/receive support to explore and change these patterns.
Topics that individuals may find embarrassing to discuss with the opposite sex are often explored in these settings.
A fundamental element in the gender groups is to learn how to create and practice healthy boundaries. This will empower each group member to explore their behaviour, attitudes and choices in recovery.
What is Expected of the Client?
Clients attending Seventy4's gender groups are expected to be abstinent throughout their treatment.
There will need to be a degree of desire and willingness to make the changes required to maintain the efficacy of treatment.
Group members are asked to make a commitment to attend twelve sessions to maximise the effectiveness of the therapy groups.
The Referral Process
If you would like to attend a gender group, the first stage is to book an assessment with a trained counsellor.
If you ring the Seventy4 office a member of the administration team will take some basic details from you and make an appointment for you to have an assessment. This will take approximately 50 minutes.
The assessment process will gauge if Seventy4 is the right place for you and you will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the organisation.
If you can afford to pay for yourself, you will be asked to pay weekly.
However, if you need financial assistance, it may be possible to secure funding through Social Services departments (Substance Misuse Teams) in your borough of residence. You will need to make an appointment with them to assess your eligibility for this funding before booking an assessment at Seventy4.