Whether you’re considering therapy for the first time or you’re looking for a different approach to managing your mental health, it may be time to think about group therapy.
It’s understandable that the idea of talking about your problems in front of several people, not just a therapist, may feel daunting. But there are plenty of benefits of group therapy that can help you address and overcome various mental health challenges, setting you on a successful path to recovery.
What is Group Therapy?
As a form of psychotherapy, group therapy is typically led by a qualified and licensed mental health counselor for a group of between 5 and 15 people. Most groups are put together to address specific challenges that each of the participants are facing, where individuals are all dealing with the same or similar problems.
Issues such as substance use disorder, anxiety, eating disorders, and bereavement are all areas that can benefit from groups being created. Together, the group can share their thoughts and feelings openly with others who understand what they’re going through, can discuss possible solutions, and look at problem solves together. Everything talked about among the group remains confidential between group members.
Groups can meet once or three times per week, depending on an individual’s level of care, for an hour or two each time. Everyone’s recovery journey looks different, so some individuals may be working with a counselor one-on-one, while also participating in group therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. For others who may be further along in their recovery, group therapy may be sufficient for their ongoing mental health support.
Types of Group Therapy
There are several different types of group therapy that you’ll want to consider before making a decision about which is best for your personal journey. Some of the most common are:
Cognitive behavioral groups. Following the fundamental practices of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), these groups will focus primarily on identifying and changing patterns of behavior and emotional responses that relate to the primary mental health challenge being addressed.
Psychoeducational groups. These groups also work closely with CBT principles, with therapists educating group members on what exactly their condition or problem is and providing different methods for coping with these issues.
Skill development groups. Skills groups are very practically focused, providing individuals in the group with specific skills that they can apply in their everyday lives outside of the therapy office. These could be focused on practical skills like caring for yourself day-to-day, while others could be more focused on building social and interpersonal skills.
Emotional process group. Process groups tend to include individuals with similar problems working to overcome challenges together. Open and honest dialogue, sharing about one’s personal experiences, and supportive feedback is encouraged. These groups are facilitated by licensed professionals that help the group bond and ensure that the group remains safe and that rules are adhered to by members.
One important aspect to remember is that group therapy is not the same as a support group. While both can provide empathy and understanding towards the problem you’re facing, a support group typically focuses on coping rather than changing behaviors or thought patterns.
Support groups are generally less structured than a therapeutic group and don’t have to be led by a qualified or licensed clinical practitioner. Instead, these groups are often peer-led and more open-ended, with participants coming and going according to how they’re feeling.
Topics are narrowly focused on single issues, and crosstalk (where others in the group can comment or give advice and criticism) is typically discouraged in support groups. In group therapy, though, one of the major goals is working together to collectively overcome various challenges along the recovery journey.
Both support groups and group therapy have their own pros and cons, so it’s crucial to think about what you need and how you want to structure your recovery. Group therapy is good for those interested in a 3-to-5 year investment in their recovery, with numerous touchpoints from a clinical team over that time period.
Particularly when dealing with issues such as substance use disorder, the first year of therapy is considered early recovery and typically focused on developing sober time and experiences, which allows the brain to begin healing and rebalance after years of substance use. Additionally, tools to support recovery are introduced and revisited to help build skills to support long term behavioral change. From there, a supportive community in a group environment that’s led by a counselor or therapist can increase the chances of a successful recovery over the coming years.
Why Group Therapy Works
There are many reasons why group therapy is such a successful option for tackling various mental health disorders and challenges. For those who participate in group therapy, the experience is often highly rewarding, even if there are some nerves or hesitation at first.
Support and Safety
Working through your problems in a clinically-organized group, led by a medical professional, often provides a sense of safety that’s difficult to find elsewhere. Others in the group are going through similar things to you and can provide support and care in your most difficult moments. They understand because they’ve been through, or are still going through, the same struggles.
Those that have experienced group therapy often say that they felt less alone and that it gave them an opportunity to practice new coping skills in a safe environment, without judgment. The group can provide a sounding board for working through various topics when a new challenge arises, all within a safe setting of your peers.
Empathy, Social Skills, and Behavior Modeling
Group therapy is an excellent way to build empathy and relational skills with others, while also having role models in those who may be further along in their recovery journey.
Not only can group members celebrate each other's big successes and feel a sense of accomplishment from this community, but they can also be inspired when witnessing individuals achieving their recovery goals. Seeing others succeed is often a driving force in changing your own behavior in the hope of reaching the same outcome.
Another common outcome of group therapy is a heightened self awareness throughout the recovery journey. Many of these skills are developed together, with listening and receiving feedback typically making individuals more aware of their own challenges and what behaviors they need to change.
At ICS, we have put years into developing and refining our intervention to support individuals working toward their own recovery process. Our curriculum is delivered in a group format and, when combined with individual counseling and other health promotion activities, can be an incredible asset to an individual seeking a transformational recovery experience.
Community Accountability
One of the major benefits of group therapy is that each member of the group can hold you accountable for the commitments and goals you’ve set for your recovery. Although this is of course possible with a one-on-one therapist, having to keep your promises to a bigger group may be more motivating for some people.
Different Perspectives
With one-on-one support, you’re only receiving feedback from one person. In a group setting, though, you’ll be experiencing multiple perspectives and opinions on a single issue at once, along with the benefit of having a therapist or counselor present.
Every individual in the group comes to the table with their own personality, background, and life experiences. Having this variety during discussions is not only good for problem solving as a group, but can offer you different perspectives on something you’re facing that you may not have considered before.
More Affordable
In many cases, attending group therapy is typically less costly than private individual therapy. Despite the price difference, group therapy can be just as, if not more, effective than a one-on-one setting for certain individuals at various stages of their recovery.
What to Expect From Group Therapy
Every group therapy session is going to look different, depending on the issues being addressed, how far into the recovery process the group is, and what the clinician feels is the best approach for everyone.
In many group therapy sessions, you can expect to meet in a room with chairs arranged in a circle, or in an online setting where everyone in the group can see each other on camera.
Sessions may start with the group discussing their experiences or progress since the last time the group met and move into open-ended conversations. Some clinicians may keep the session more structured with various activities such as icebreaker games, goal visualization and mindfulness exercises, or expressive writing and drawing.
Preparing for Your First Group Therapy Session
Before you attend your first session with a group, talk to your therapist about what you can expect with that specific group and what the group’s goals are to make sure they align with the plan you have for your recovery.
If you’re moving from individual therapy to a group, or working with both at the same time, your therapist will likely provide a recommendation for which group you should join that will be most beneficial for your situation.
At Integrative Counseling Services (ICS), our team of compassionate and committed practitioners are here to support and guide you through group therapy sessions with individuals facing similar issues. Get in touch to schedule your first group session and find out more about the steps you can take towards long-term recovery.