What is group therapy?

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Group therapy is another form of treatment alternative to individual therapy or an adjunct to individual therapy. Group therapy involves engaging in psychotherapy simultaneously with a small group of individuals who share similar reasons for needing therapy.

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Why do people seek group therapy?

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Many people seek group therapy as either a recommendation from their mental health provider or as a way to experience psychotherapy for the first time without the focus being primarily on him/her. Members of a group can decide how little or much they prefer to interact with a group while also receiving the therapeutic benefits. Research also show that some mental health issues are better addressed in a group format than just individual therapy alone. 

  

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What can I expect from group therapy? 

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Group therapy offers a number of benefits. One of the benefits include the opportunity to embark on a new experience with support of other people similar to you. Members have reported groups as a great way to share resources and helpful information. Another benefit is the chance to enhance social skill development while forming a meaningful bond with others. While each group is led by a trained mental health professional, members have reported enjoying a more interactive and personal exchange with their peers that often is not part of the individual therapy process. 

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Group therapy is usually held on a consistent basis for a set number of weeks. Frequency and length is largely dependent on the type of group, for example, a closed skill based group may be 6-8 weeks in length, while a more open-fluid process group may meet on a continuous basis. Skills based group may include homework assignments to practice skills outside of group while open process groups usually just require attendance. 

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