What is Group Therapy?

It could be time to seek therapy if an issue causes distress or interferes with daily life. It is important not to wait until symptoms become severe before going to therapy.

It may be best to seek therapy if you are often unhappy or feel overwhelmed and hopeless about issues in your life. Therapy can also help if you cannot focus on work or school, experience addiction, or feel like hurting yourself or someone else.

Group can help treat mental, emotional, physical, and behavioral issues. Concerns that may be discussed include, but are not limited to:

• A safe, supportive setting to discuss difficult emotions and experiences
• Less isolation and loneliness when surrounded by others with similar struggles
• Interactions with others quickly brings issues to the surface, allowing them to be resolved under the guidance of a therapist
• Improves self-awareness and motivation to change
• Feedback from peers can be highly influential
• Improves interpersonal and communication skills
• Builds trust and self-esteem
• Ideal setting to practice new skills and behaviors

Group therapy involves one or more psychologists who lead a group of roughly five to 15 patients.

Typically, groups meet for an hour or two each week. Some people attend individual therapy in addition to groups, while others participate in groups only.

Group therapy helps individuals develop communication skills and socialization skills, and allows clients to learn how to express their issues and accept criticism from others.

Group therapy allows individuals to develop self-awareness by listening to others with similar issues.

Group therapy is used to treat a wide range of disorders, including but not limited to:

• Relationship problems
• Communication and social skill deficits
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief/loss
• Emotional trauma
• Low self-esteem