What is it?
- Supportive environment for sharing experiences.
- Facilitated discussions with trained professionals.
- Builds interpersonal skills and self-awareness.
- Encourages collective problem-solving and growth.
Here's more detail
Description
Group therapy is a therapeutic approach where a small group of individuals, guided by a trained mental health professional, come together to discuss their personal challenges, share experiences, and provide mutual support. The setting allows participants to gain insights through the perspectives of others who may be facing similar issues, fostering a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation.
The therapist facilitates the sessions, helping to guide discussions, address interpersonal dynamics, and ensure a safe and respectful environment. This collective process can enhance self-awareness, improve coping skills, and encourage personal growth through the shared experiences and feedback of group members.
The principles of group therapy
The principles of group therapy
In his book “The Theory and Practice of Psychotherapy” Irvin D. Yalom outlines the key therapeutic principles of group therapy:
- Altruism: Members share their strengths and support each other, boosting self-esteem and confidence.
- Catharsis: Expressing feelings and experiences in the group helps alleviate pain, guilt, and stress.
- Corrective Recapitulation of the Primary Family Group: The group mirrors family dynamics, allowing members to explore and address issues stemming from childhood experiences and modify harmful behaviors.
- Development of Socialisation Techniques: The group setting provides a safe space to practice and refine new social behaviors.
- Existential Factors: Members are encouraged to take responsibility for their own lives and choices while receiving support.
- Group Cohesiveness: Shared goals foster a sense of belonging and acceptance among members.
- Imparting Information: Members exchange valuable information and insights with each other.
- Imitative Behavior: Individuals can model their behavior after others in the group or the therapist.
- Instills Hope: Witnessing the progress of others offers hope and motivation to those who are just starting.
- Interpersonal Learning: Interactions and feedback within the group help members gain self-awareness and understanding.
- Universality: Sharing experiences with others who face similar challenges helps members realise they are not alone.
What to expect from group therapy
- Assessment
The therapist will conduct an initial evaluation to understand your personal background, mental health history, and current concerns. This process helps to determine whether the group setting is appropriate for your needs. During this session, you’ll also discuss your goals for therapy, including what you hope to achieve through participating in the group.
Additionally, the therapist assesses if you will be a good fit for the group dynamic and whether the group is suitable for addressing your specific issues. The session concludes with a review of confidentiality agreements and the group’s rules, ensuring that you understand and agree to the guidelines for maintaining a safe and respectful environment.
- What might a session look like?
Group therapy usually involves one or more therapist who lead small groups with up to 15 members. Group sessions typically meet once per week and last for around 1–2 hours.
In a typical group therapy session, members usually begin with check-ins, where each person briefly shares updates on their progress or any challenges they’ve encountered since the last meeting. The therapist then facilitates a discussion, focusing on specific topics or issues relevant to the group’s goals. This allows members to share their experiences, offer support, and provide feedback to one another. The exact activities in group therapy sessions will vary from group to group. However, these activities tend to focus on promoting open, honest communication and establishing trust between group members and their therapists. The therapist may also guide the group in reflecting on the discussions, summarising key insights, and planning for future sessions.
- Length of treatment
The length of time individuals participate in group therapy can vary widely based on their needs and goals. Generally, people might attend group therapy for a few months to a year.
What issues can group therapy help with?
Group therapy is used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use disorder/addiction
Pros and cons of group therapy
Group therapy offers several benefits but it is not for everyone. It is important to talk with a mental health professional to determine if it’s the right fit for you.
- Pros
Support and Safety: Group therapy offers participants emotional support and encouragement from peers facing similar issues, helping them feel less isolated. The group setting also provides a safe space to practice new behaviors.
Role Modeling: Members can observe and learn from others who successfully manage their challenges, which can inspire hope and facilitate personal progress. As individuals advance, they can become role models and sources of support for others.
Social Skills Insight: Therapists gain insight into each participant’s social behaviour and interactions, allowing them to give targeted feedback to improve social skills.
- Cons
- Less Individual Attention: Limited time and focus per individual compared to one-on-one therapy, which may be less beneficial for those needing intensive personal attention.
- Group Dynamics: Potential for challenging group dynamics, such as dominant members or conflicts, which can affect the therapeutic process. The therapist or facilitator will support the group to work through this.
- Privacy Concerns: Sharing personal issues with a group may feel uncomfortable for some.
- Pace of Progress: The progress of the group may be slower compared to individual therapy, as sessions are designed to accommodate the needs of all members.
- Variability in Group Fit: Not all groups are a perfect match for everyone; differences in member goals or personalities can impact the effectiveness of the therapy.
Voice
The safe space of a therapy group is a pause between the regular activity before and after in our life. Just the act of thinking about and expressing chaotic and anxious feelings with those we trust can make them more manageable and understandable.
How can I access group therapy?
How can I access group therapy?
Accessing group therapy can be done through several avenues, depending on your needs and circumstances.
1. NHS Services: Some NHS talking therapies services offer group therapy. You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP, or a GP can refer you. You can find your local NHS talking therapies services by visiting this page.
2. Private Therapy: Group therapy requires specific training and specialist skills to deliver it safely and competently. To make sure your therapist is professional accredited, you can look on websites such as:
Services to support you
Click to learn more
Click to learn more
Was this resource useful?
Your feedback helps us improve.
Let us know how you found this resource or service, but please note that this feature is not monitored regularly, and it’s not a way to get help or speak to someone.
For information about urgent help, please visit our crisis support page.
We may include your comments on this page, but we will not share your name unless you ask us to.
You may also like...
