Group counselling in the Centre involves a variety of groups with a wide range of specific goals. In order to meet different needs and offer support for people dealing with problems and difficulties in life, counselling Centres may implement a group counselling and/or psychotherapeutic approach.
Centres hold various group programs depending on capability and the need for them. Groups are usually professionally led, but can also be self-directed as well as self-help groups.

Treatment groups – groups for personal growth or change in clients

The purpose of treatment groups is to meet the socio-emotional needs of its members. Those can be the needs for personal growth and development, behavioural changes, socialisation, etc.
A central role in such groups is played by an expert group leader. Every group should have a well-defined purpose (clear reason for its formation), general goals shared by the group members, carefully planned and led group work through all stages of counselling.

Professionally led groups

(Classification by Ajduković, 1997.)

Personal growth and development groups

These groups allow their members to deepen their self-awareness, change their attitudes and beliefs, improve at emotional expression, and change their behaviour towards both themselves and others. In such groups the development of members’ potential for a more meaningful, enriching life is emphasised.

For example:

Youth group Volunteers of the Healthy City of Poreč

Goal: educating high school students about human behaviour and acquisition of social skills for personal growth and development purposes.

Through a series of workshops, the group is introduced to topics such as communication skills, perception, needs, behaviour, and other topics chosen by the group members.

Childbirth preparation groups for expecting mothers

Goal: learning and understanding one’s behaviour, mastering self-control and relaxation techniques helpful while giving birth.

Through workshops, pregnant women and expecting couples adopt mechanisms that help choose functional behaviours which reduce the fear of childbirth, and master techniques of preparing for joint child care.

Personal development groups

These groups come closest to group therapy. Their main purpose is changing the non-functional behaviour of its members. In personal development groups, members are placed together to solve their own problems.

For example:

Groups for children/youth with behavioural difficulties

Goal: modification of behaviour

Group members are encouraged to speak openly about their difficulties, express their feelings, help each other, learn from their own and others’ experiences, and to encourage each other in finding better behavioural choices.

Group for parents of children with emotional difficulties

Goal: insight into one’s own difficulties, modification of behaviour

Group members discuss their parenting experiences, share feelings, learn from their and others’ experiences, modify their own behaviour.

Socialisation groups

These groups come closest to group therapy. Their main purpose is changing the non-functional behaviour of its members. In personal development groups, members are placed together to solve their own problems.

For example:

Group for people with disabilities
Recovering alcoholics support group

Goal: support of group members

The group brings together members who have or have had similar experiences and difficulties in life, and individuals share their experiences and provide mutual support.

Support groups

The main purpose of these groups is developing successful coping strategies for stress and important transitional periods in life that carry great changes in behaviour with them.

For example:

Group for people with disabilities
Recovering alcoholics support group

Goal: support of group members

The group brings together members who have or have had similar experiences and difficulties in life, and individuals share their experiences and provide mutual support.

Self-help groups

Self-help and peer support groups do not include experts/professionals as group leaders. They’re usually formed as a response by people facing a particularly difficult life problem. They are especially effective in the process of helping individuals and their families face serious illnesses.

For example:

Self-help group for people with obesity

Goal: mutual support

The group offers members insight into how to cope with obesity and how to overcome it by changing their behaviour and eating habits.
Members often organise various social activities to help people with similar difficulties, to raise community awareness, etc.

The examples of group programs mentioned above refer to the Counselling Centre of the Healthy City of Poreč, which may differ from the group programs of other counselling centres