Led by a mental health professional, group therapy allows people to interact with others who may be going through similar challenges, share valuable feedback, and work together to solve common problems, notes the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA).
“You can relate other people’s situations to your own,” says Judith Belmont, a former psychotherapist, a current online mental health coach, and the author of 150 More Group Therapy Activities and Tips. “There’s a sense of universality in group therapy. You realize you’re not alone, and you can try out developing skills in a group setting. It’s a very powerful way of learning and growing.”
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Many groups are designed to address a specific concern, such as how to cope with depression, anxiety, pain, substance abuse, low self-esteem, loneliness, or grief, says the APA. But a group can offer a safe environment for anyone who is interested in self-development, regardless of whether you have a specific mental health condition, per the AGPA.
“Although most are apprehensive at first and don’t understand why group [therapy] would be helpful, after several sessions they begin to understand the power of connecting to other people as a significant part of the healing process,” says Martyn Whittingham, PhD, a licensed psychologist, a certified group therapist, and the founder of Focused Brief Group Therapy, an eight-session group therapy approach.
Pros and Cons of Group Therapy
There are both benefits and disadvantages to participating in group therapy, depending on your situation.
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According to the American Addiction Centers, some pros of group therapy include:
- It typically costs less than individual therapy.
- Participants are exposed to different points of view and can relate to the struggles others face.
- There’s an opportunity to give and receive support from others.
- Individuals learn to improve their communication skills, become more self-aware, and express their feelings.
- Participants can model the successful behaviors and reactions of others who face similar circumstances.
On the flip side, some potential downsides of group therapy are:
- Each individual is not the main focus in the therapy session, and some may have more opportunities to speak than others.
- There’s less scheduling flexibility, as groups usually meet at specific times and must accommodate the schedules of all group members.
- Some may feel uncomfortable sharing personal information in a group.
- Conflicts can happen within the group.
- Although all group members are told that what’s shared to the group is confidential, there’s potential for less patient confidentiality in a group setting than one-on-one.
When it comes to the issue of participant confidentiality, Dr. Whittingham says it’s important to ask about protocols. “Some places, such as Washington, DC, have laws stating that group members cannot break confidentiality, while other states rely on the promise of each group member,” he explains.
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