A Full Breakdown on Group Therapy

For those interested in joining therapy, you may be wondering what group therapy is and who it is for. Group therapy is a very popular option that can be beneficial for a variety of conditions and mental health concerns. 

The type of therapy you should choose will depend on your situation and your mental health goals. In this article, we will be discussing group therapy to help you better understand if this is the right fit for your needs. 

What is Group Therapy? 

Group therapy is one of the many forms of psychotherapy that involves multiple people getting treatment in a group. There may be a single therapist or multiple therapists working within the group, depending on what everyone needs. Group therapy is widely available in hospitals, mental health clinics, community centers, and private therapy practices. 

There are many reasons why someone may choose group therapy over individual therapy. For many people, group therapy is just one component of a comprehensive treatment plan that may also include individual therapy. Group therapy is often a bit more affordable, which also makes it accessible to more people. 

Types of Group Therapy 

Group therapy does not come in a one-size-fits-all model since there are different categories to fit different groups of individuals. This helps the therapist or therapists to provide a more comprehensive and helpful setting. The most common types of group therapy you will find include: 

• Cognitive behavioral group: This group will center on identifying and correcting different behaviors, emotional responses, and patterns of thinking. It can be beneficial for those suffering from substance abuse or other conditions like eating disorders. 
• Support groups: Another type of group therapy that is very common in support groups is to help provide support for individuals going through different situations. This could be a support group for those going through grief, depression, or severe anxiety. 
• Skills development groups: This group therapy category focuses on helping individuals develop essential life skills that will improve their lives. This can help people with social skills or healthy coping mechanisms if they struggle with mental health disorders or developmental disabilities. 
• Interpersonal groups: An interpersonal group helps individuals with mental health problems who may not have a strong support group or any social skills. This group focuses on interpersonal relationships and building healthy social interactions. 
• Psychoeducational groups: This type of group is designed to educate the group members on different disorders. It is usually based on cognitive behavior therapy and introduces ways of coping with specific disorders. 

How Does it Work? 

If you are considering group therapy, you may be worried about what you should expect. In most cases, the group will meet in a specific location with one or more therapists being the organizers. Chairs are usually arranged in a circle, allowing everyone to see each other face-to-face during participation. 

How the group session is organized depends on the type of group and the therapists in charge. Some groups may have a more free-form style where individuals can discuss their problems and their progress. In other situations, the therapist may have a specific plan for each session that helps guide the group. 

Group Therapy Techniques  

The therapists managing the group therapy sessions may utilize different techniques to get everyone involved. The main goal of group therapy is always to create an inclusive environment where each member participates. Some methods the therapist may use to encourage this include: 

• Group visualization activities that help each person set goals for themselves and actionable steps to achieve those goals. 
• Expressive writing helps individuals explore and examine their experiences and how they impact them mentally. 
• Icebreaker activities allow each group member to introduce themselves and get to know the other members. 
• Group sharing activities where each member can ask other members questions to encourage open communication and vulnerability. 
• Gratitude mapping helps each group member to examine different aspects of their life that they are thankful for. 

Who Should Do Group Therapy? 

Choosing group therapy as part of your comprehensive treatment plan is incredibly beneficial for most people. It provides a unique experience from individual therapy and can help you create a greater connection with others going through similar situations. 

You will want to choose the type of group therapy that best correlates with the kind of condition you want to address. Group therapy is especially beneficial for conditions such as: 

• Eating disorders 
• Substance abuse 
• Generalized anxiety disorder 
• Depression 
• ADHD 
• PTSD 
• Phobias 

Group therapy can also be helpful for individuals who need help with specific situations in their life. For instance, it could be helpful for grief, weight management, domestic violence victims, divorce, and anger management. Those with chronic health issues, pain, or stress may also find group therapy useful. 

Benefits of Group Therapy 

Even though group therapy is not always the first therapy option people lean towards, it has many benefits that options like individual therapy do not provide. Here are some examples of benefits you may see if you choose to participate in group therapy 

Builds Relationships 

Individual therapy comes with the benefit of allowing you to connect individually with your therapist and build a relationship. In a group therapy setting, you have the ability to do this as well as form relationships with others in the group. This can be incredibly beneficial since the other members are most likely going through similar situations to your own. 

One of the most significant benefits of group therapy is that it provides accountability for each member. The therapist may set members up with one another to hold each other accountable, or you may be held accountable by the whole group. 

Accountability is not meant to create shame but rather encourage each member to do the best that they can. This can help create a supportive system in your life that you may not get from your friends or family. 

Affordability 

Because group therapy allows the therapist to work with multiple people at once, it is usually much more affordable than individual therapy. The cost of group therapy will vary by location, but it is generally at least half of the amount of individual therapy. 

Because of the price, group therapy is a more accessible option that people from all walks of life can use. It also provides a more realistic option if you are seeking long-term therapy. 

Social Setting 

Different mental health conditions can create social isolation and a lack of social skills. That is why group therapy can be very beneficial for various mental health conditions since it takes place in a social setting. 

You will naturally learn how to socialize better with other people in an environment that is safe and supportive. You can also view firsthand how others interact and socialize, and the therapist can provide feedback on your social skills. 

For those who may be socially isolated due to their mental health condition, group therapy provides a social activity that can help them create a connection with others on a regular basis. 

Instills Hope 

Group therapy creates a unique environment where different members can have role models. You get to see other group members going through the same problems you have, gaining insights into their fallbacks and successes in their journey. 

Group therapy can help instill hope as you can make progress as a team. It provides a great reminder that you are not alone and everybody has setbacks and successes no matter what stage of their journey they are in.