If you’re considering going to therapy, you have several options to explore. Depending on your circumstances, group therapy can be an excellent way to address your concerns and start making positive changes in your life. Whether you choose to attend group therapy sessions on their own, or pair them with individual therapy, here’s what you can expect.
Benefits of Group Therapy
Many groups target a specific challenge, such as depression, substance use, eating disorders, grief or gender dysphoria. Others focus more generally on helping members improve their social skills and work through issues such as anger, loneliness or low self-esteem.
While talking through your troubles with a room full of strangers might initially sound intimidating, group therapy provides unique benefits and insights you might not gain from individual counseling sessions.
- Support and accountability: Group members can be a helpful sounding board, suggesting solutions for improving a challenging situation.
- A sense of perspective: In hearing about other people’s experiences, you can learn how to evaluate what you’ve gone through in a new light.
- Diverse viewpoints: By seeing how others have handled their problems, you can discover a range of strategies for facing your concerns.
- Hope: Group members are all in different stages of the treatment process. People who have made more progress can mentor and instill confidence in those who are only beginning their journey.
- Expert guidance: A specially trained therapist will lead your group, offering their knowledge and teaching the members proven strategies for managing specific problems.
Is Group Therapy Right for You?
If you’re considering group therapy, here are some things to be aware of.
You Need to Be Willing to Share
Though group therapy is a safe space, it might not be right for you if you struggle with social anxiety or social phobia. Some therapists may ask intensely personal questions or lead the group through exercises like role-playing, which could be overwhelming if you are uncomfortable around strangers.
You May Need Some Trial and Error
Like you might need to “shop around” to find a therapist to work with one on one, it may also take some time and patience to find the group that fits you best. Think through your goals and what you’re hoping to achieve through group therapy, and consider what you’d be most comfortable with.
It’s Not Ideal for Everyone
There are limitations to group therapy, and not all people are good candidates. If you are in a mental health crisis or struggling with thoughts of suicide, individual therapy is probably a better choice than group therapy.
Including Group Counseling in Your Treatment Plan
At New Found Life, we provide group therapy sessions seven to 10 times per week as part of our nationally accredited continuum of care. Our judgment-free programming has successfully helped hundreds of adult men and women transition to a life of sobriety and personal responsibility. To get the help you need and achieve a more fulfilling, substance-free lifestyle, reach out to us today.