If you're considering psychotherapy, several options are available. One of those options is group therapy. Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves a trained, experienced, and licensed therapist working with several people at the same time. This often also makes group therapy a more affordable option than individual therapy (it does not, however, make it any less effective or beneficial). Groups can be as small as three or four people, but group therapy sessions often involve around six to ten individuals.
It will be important to ponder (or to discuss with your therapist) if your issues or problems are a good “fit” for group therapy. Groups are often a preferred and more effective method to treat certain issues that people face. Many groups are designed to target a specific problem, such as depression, sexual identity, panic disorder, social anxiety, chronic pain or substance abuse. Other groups focus more generally on improving interpersonal skills, helping people deal with a range of issues such as anger, shyness, loneliness and low self-esteem. Groups are especially helpful for those who have experienced loss, whether it be a spouse, a child or someone who died by suicide. Substance abuse/dependency is another life experience that is often successfully addressed via the group therapy option.
Many people find it's helpful to participate in both group therapy and individual psychotherapy, either conjointly, or one following the end of the other. Participating in both types of psychotherapy can boost your opportunity of making valuable changes. Sometimes, if your progress in individual psychotherapy feels stalled, joining a group may “jump-start” your personal growth. Group therapy can also provide a setting in which to “practice” certain life skills, such as speaking your mind in the face of anxiety or revealing your emotions to others. As I note below, groups have certain characteristics and benefits that individual therapy can’t match.
Your therapist can discuss the advantages or disadvantages of a group for your particular concerns and needs. Some people will participate in individual therapy, while also being part of a group, while others participate in group only. Many comprehensive treatment plans may include group therapy along with individual therapy and/or medication. You can work with the same therapist in both modalities or consider working with a different therapist individually and with another therapist in group (not all therapists offer group therapy). If you choose that option, it will be important for you to inform both therapists that you are in both therapies. It may also be a good idea for both therapists to discuss your treatment and collaborate on your care.
Just like individual psychotherapy, group typically meets once or twice each week. Groups, however, generally have a longer time commitment, often 1.5-2 hours a session. Meetings may either be “open” or “closed.” In open sessions, new participants are welcome to join at any time. In a closed group, only a core group of members are invited to participate. Some closed group often have a time-limited focus, for example a 12-week group to address social anxiety concerns. Other closed groups are open-ended with regards to time, but only make a spot available should a member leave the group.
Principles of Group Therapy
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The Principles of Group Therapy
In his classic book on the power and influence of group therapy, The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, Irvin D. Yalom outlines the key therapeutic principles that have been discovered about the group therapy process:
The instillation of hope:
The group contains members at different stages of the treatment process. Interacting with people who are coping or recovering gives hope to those at the beginning of the process. Group therapy allows people to receive the support and encouragement of the other members of the group.
Universality:
Being part of a group of people who have the same experiences helps people see that what they are going through is universal and that they are not alone.
Imparting information:
Group members can help each other by sharing information.
Altruism:
Group members can share their strengths and help others in the group, which can boost self-esteem and confidence.
The corrective recapitulation of the primary family group:
The therapy group is much like a family in some ways. Within the group, each member can explore how childhood experiences contributed to personality and behaviors. They can also learn to avoid behaviors that are destructive or unhelpful in real life. When people learn to interact freely with other group members, they tend to recreate the same patterns of interactions that have proved troublesome to them outside of the group (behaviors that have often begun in childhood and within the construct of a person’s family-of-origin). The group therapy environment provides a safe space to experiment with alternative ways of treating yourself and others that may be more satisfying.
Development of socialization techniques:
The group setting is a great place to practice new behaviors. The setting is safe and supportive, allowing group members to experiment without the fear of failure.
Imitative behavior:
Individuals can model the behavior of other members of the group or observe and imitate the behavior of the therapist. Group members can serve as role models to other members of the group. By observing someone successfully coping with a problem, other members of the group can see that there is hope for recovery. As each person progresses, they can, in turn, serve as a role model and support figure for others. This can help foster feelings of success and accomplishment.
Interpersonal learning:
By interacting with other people and receiving feedback from the group and the therapist, members of the group can gain a greater understanding of themselves. By working in a group, the therapist can also see first-hand how each person responds to other people and behaves in social situations. Using this information, the therapist can provide valuable feedback to each client.
Group cohesiveness:
Because the group is united in a common goal, members gain a sense of belonging and acceptance. Group therapy offers a safe haven. The setting allows people to practice behaviors and actions within the safety and security of the group.
Catharsis:
Sharing feelings and experiences with a group of people can help relieve pain, guilt, or stress.
Existential factors:
While working within a group offers support and guidance, group therapy helps member realize that they are responsible for their own lives, actions, and choices.
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As you can see from the examples above, group therapy can be a wonderful and helpful modality to address many of the issues common in the human experience.
Is group therapy for you?
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Is Group Therapy for You?
The thought of joining a group of strangers to talk about your most personal and inner experience is often met with panic and great discomfort. This initial anxiety is quite normal as most people have never been exposed to a group therapy environment and don’t know what to expect. My experience is that within a few sessions members often get comfortable enough to interact in the group. Remember, the group therapist is trained to help the group develop an environment conducive to doing the work of personal growth. All good groups have a core value of an atmosphere of safety and respect. The therapist will help members to give feedback in a direct, yet respectful way so that you can understand and utilize new awareness and experiences. The therapist will reflect back to the group specific dynamics and themes that he or she feels important for each group member to be aware of and/or process further.
If you decide to give group therapy a try, remember that you control, and are ultimately responsible for, what, how much, and when you tell the group about yourself. The more you become involved, the more you are likely to benefit. You can benefit from the group even during sessions when you say little but listen carefully to others. As noted by Irvin Yalom, most people find that they have important things in common with other group members, and as others work on concerns, you can learn much about yourself. In such regard, others serve as “mirrors” that reflect aspects of yourself that you can recognize and explicitly choose if you want to modify or change. Group members may bring up issues that strike a chord with you, which you might not have been aware or of known now to bring up yourself. An enhanced acceptance of self and others occurs as one learns to relate more honestly and directly with others in the group. The group provides an opportunity for personal experimentation - it is a safe place to risk enough to learn more about yourself.
