Building Connection Through Communication Group Therapy at Red Soup
At Red Soup Speech Pathology, we recently launched our first adult communication group therapy program. The group sessions hosted 7-9 of our clients, along with some of their support workers, aiming to provide our clients with a safe and accessible space to practice their communication skills, build a sense of community and allow for social participation.
Why Group Speech Therapy Matters
Each person’s brain injury is different, and each person’s experience with aphasia, apraxia or cognitive communication difficulties will be different. Our weekly group therapy sessions were designed to allow our clients to practice and reflect on a topic for a week, and then discuss their thoughts, likes, dislikes, and general well-being in a group setting. Sessions were facilitated by two of our speech pathologists, contributing to supported conversations and allowing for assistance with communication breakdowns.
The Benefits of Group Speech Therapy
Group-based speech therapy is backed by research. A recent study found that participants in communication-focused group therapy experienced significant improvements in health-related quality of life (Wilson et al., 2023). At Red Soup, our clients experienced similar outcomes.
One of the most powerful results? Some clients began meeting independently outside of sessions, building friendships that were grounded in understanding and shared experiences. Our final session was met with disappointment from the participants; however, we will be continuing these communication groups at our new clinic in Upper Mount Gravatt.
What’s Next for Communication Groups at Red Soup
We’re excited to continue these communication groups at our brand-new Upper Mount Gravatt speech pathology clinic. Future sessions will be even more dynamic, with plans to include co-facilitators with lived experience of ABI, alongside speech pathology students, to enrich the learning experience for all.
This model not only empowers individuals with ABIs but also provides future speech pathologists with firsthand insight into the importance of functional communication, social interaction, and peer support in therapy.
Join Our Next Communication Group
If you or someone you know would benefit from joining a communication group to build confidence, practice communication skills in a supportive environment, and connect with others experiencing similar challenges, we’d love to hear from you.
Our team is passionate about creating accessible, evidence-based communication programs that support every individual’s journey toward confidence and connection.
Please reach out to your Red Soup speech pathologist or email admin@redsoup.com.au if you have any questions or would like to be added to our waitlist.