How Does Group Therapy Work?

If you’ve been thinking about exploring therapy, you've probably wondered if one-on-one sessions are best, or if you would benefit from group therapy. Many people are actually confused about group therapy, how it works and what it’s really like. This post will hopefully shed some light on the topic.

What is Group Therapy?

Group therapy can be used alone or in conjunction with individual therapy. To define it, we’ve got to discuss the most common types of group therapy:

Cognitive Behavior Groups

These groups focus on identifying and changing harmful behavioral patterns, and emotional responses to triggers.

Interpersonal Groups

In this group, individuals work on social interactions and relationship skills. 

Psychoeducational Groups

The focus here is on educating people about their specific disorder and ways of coping. People with addictions often go to these kinds of group therapy sessions.

How Big are Groups?

Groups can be as small as 3 people or as large as 12 people. The average group size is usually somewhere right in the middle. The group will typically meet once or twice a week for one to two hours.

What Issues Can Group Therapy Help With?

Group therapy can be effective at treating a wide variety of conditions, such as:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Panic disorder
• Phobias
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Substance use disorder

In addition to mental health conditions, CBT-based group therapy has been found to help people deal with:

• Anger management
• Chronic pain
• Chronic illness
• Chronic stress
• Divorce
• Domestic violence
• Grief and loss
• Weight management

Benefits of Group Therapy

A Shared Experience

Members are there for each other, sharing their struggles and helping others in the group. This sense of altruism can boost self-esteem and confidence.

Relief

Sharing your darkest parts with one therapist can be very helpful. But sharing in a group setting has been shown to bring about a deep sense of relief from pain, guilt and shame.

Development of Social Skills

Working intimately within a group setting is a great way to develop social skills. 

If you are interested in meeting with a group, please get in touch with me. I lead multiple group session each week.

SOURCES:

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-group-therapy-2795760

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/group-therapy

https://www.psychreg.org/group-therapy-what-you-need-know/