When you picture yourself starting therapy, you often think of yourself going to see a therapist in a one-on-one situation. Most people don’t consider that therapy can happen with other people. Many of us are reluctant to share our deepest darkest thoughts with a trained professional let alone a WHOLE group of people! For sure, it can seem frightening and intimidating to meet with a group of unknown people to start a very personal therapeutic journey. However, group therapy can have a host of benefits that you do not get in individual therapy. As a professional who has run both individual and group therapies, here is the benefits that I’ve seen firsthand from people in group therapy:
Group therapy is as effective as individual therapy
Research shows us that group therapy is as effective as individual therapy for treating many mental health challenges. We see that people who attend group therapy do as well as if they had done individual therapy. This is particularly true for people who suffer from depression, anxiety disorders and social anxiety.
Reduced feelings of Isolation
When you feel low or discouraged, you may have tried to seek support and understanding from others. If your family or friends are not feeling the same or do not understand what you are going through, it can be very isolating to try to discuss our mental health challenges with others. You may start to sense that others do not want to hear your struggles and as a result you start to feel like a burden on others. In group therapy, we want to hear your struggles because others are struggling to. You learn that you are not alone, you belong to a group of others that also feel the same way. On many levels this can reduce feelings of isolation and is a great starting point for therapy.
Increased feelings of support
People who share in groups often feel increased feelings of support and community. When we are experiencing mental health problems and we can share those problems in a safe space we tend to feel less shame. When we feel supported by others, we can make efforts to undertake issues and make changes in our everyday lives.
Strength in numbers
I would often see strength in numbers, such that having a group to go to increases your motivation to go (once you overcome the fear of going) because you know other people are there to support you and are waiting for you. There’s that feeling of accountability that can increase your motivation to get there. But sometimes, getting yourself there is the best you can do on that day. This is also when having a group can help, if someone is not feeling well or not up to sharing on that day then others do. The individuals who have more difficulty sharing still get a lot of relief and learning from the groups. People who come together to achieve a common goal are often more successful at achieving those goals than those who try to go at it alone!
Depersonalize our Mental Health Challenges
When we face mental health challenges and share with others, we start to realize that it’s not us in particular, it’s our brain. People are often astounded that I can mimic their internal negative dialogue without them telling me. Well, brains function in certain ways and oftentimes, if you have a negative thought or a negative belief then you’re not the only one. Being in group therapy lets you experience that in REAL TIME and it can be so therapeutic to see others struggling with thoughts that are just like your own.
Less Expensive than Individual Therapy
Since you are sharing your therapy time with others, group therapy is typically less expensive than one-on-one therapy. It is generally time limited so you know how many weeks you will be paying for therapy. It is also often covered by insurance and so you can often be reimbursed. This allows you to have access to therapy at a lower rate for a certain amount of time. You will likely learn many strategies within that time and so from a learning perspective you will get a good bang for your buck.
Should you consider trying out group therapy? At the end of the day, the choice is yours. You may be able to access mental health services at a fraction of the cost and may even obtain services faster. You could meet other people and still receive the same benefit from therapy. However, if you often feel like an outsider when in groups or if you tend to have a lot of conflict with others then a group situation may not be the best fit for you. On the other hand, if you used to enjoy being around people and like the idea of not being alone in a therapy room then group therapy might just be the best fit for you.
Sources:
Rosendahl, J., Alldredge, C. T., Burlingame, G. M., & Strauss, B. (2021). Recent developments in group psychotherapy research. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 74(2), 52-59.
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