Is Group Therapy Right for You?

If you are considering therapy, you probably have a lot of questions. How do I find the right therapist? What type of therapy is right for me? What can I expect when starting therapy? The first thing to know when beginning therapy is that getting started can be the hardest part. If you’re ready to take the first step toward seeking help, you have already made great strides in your journey towards healing.

When you’re looking into therapy, you should first decide what type of therapy environment is the best fit for you and your individual needs. While some people do well with one-on-one therapy, many others thrive best in an online group therapy setting. Some may do better with in-person sessions, and others will prefer and thrive in an online group therapy setting. If you’re wondering what the benefits of group therapy might be, and if this environment is the right choice for you, it’s important to first understand exactly what can be expected from working with an online therapy group, as well as what some of the many benefits of group therapy are.

What exactly is group therapy?

Group therapy is exactly what it sounds like: a form of psychotherapy that typically involves a small number of people meeting together in sessions led by professionally licensed therapists. These sessions are designed so that individuals in a group therapy session can benefit from supporting one another emotionally, often due to shared experiences such as trauma, behavioral health issues, personality disorders, or grief and loss. Activities for group therapy are generally aimed at developing behaviors which diminish the impact of your diagnosis in day-to-day situations. 

Group therapy differs from support groups in a number of ways, including that they can be led by a number of different types of licensed individuals ranging from psychologists and social workers to psychiatrists, marriage and family counselors, or other licensed professionals. Sessions for group therapy are typically about an hour in length, and can have a maximum of around a dozen participants. 

Both in-person and online group therapy are also designed with an emphasis on confidentiality, just as any other therapy session would be. So, if you’re concerned about discussing vulnerable topics in a group, know that it’s a safe space. You can even participate under a nickname if you prefer.

What can group therapy help treat?

Just like with any form of psychotherapy, group therapy does not only treat one specific mental health issue or trauma response. The services offered through both in-person and online group therapy cover a wide range of concerns and conditions. Regardless of what your needs are or what you are seeking support for, there’s a good chance that you will be able to find a therapy group that offers the help you need.

Group therapy can help to treat a variety of mental and behavioral health issues, personality disorders, trauma, and more. Some of the most common things that can be worked through in activities for group therapy include anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, stress, relationship issues, borderline personality disorder (BPD), grief and loss, chronic illness, substance abuse and addiction. If you or a loved one is struggling with one of these issues, know that help is available to you, and you may benefit greatly from seeking out online group therapy as a form of treatment.

What are the benefits of group therapy?

If you are still wondering whether group therapy is right for you, consider these many benefits that come along with seeking treatment. While therapy of any kind is beneficial to those struggling with their mental health, addiction, grief, and more, there are a multitude of benefits that can only be found through therapy in a group setting.

Benefits of group therapy include the following:

It Creates Accountability

Group therapy creates accountability. If you are the type of person that may struggle with showing up for yourself, adding in another layer of accountability to your group may help you to overcome that hurdle a bit more easily. Not only will you benefit from attending therapy, but your group members will benefit from your continued support and encouragement as well.

It Fosters a Sense of Belonging

In-person or online group therapy creates a sense of community right off the bat. Through group therapy, many participants find that it’s easier to be vulnerable with the support of others struggling with the same emotions, trauma, or experiences. Through shared experiences and an understanding of what emotions you are going through, group therapy forges a bond between participants, helping you to feel less alone, more understood, and more motivated to continue returning to future therapy sessions.

You Can Receive Guidance from Those with Similar Experiences

While those in a particular therapy group are typically working through similar issues - whether it be depression, substance abuse, grief, or something else - that doesn’t mean each participant is at the same place in their journey toward healing or recovery. Instead, group therapy typically includes individuals from many different walks of life, at many different points in their therapy journey. Each can offer a unique perspective, individual anecdotes, and meaningful advice. This may help you to see your own life differently or normalize what you are feeling and experiencing. This connection is invaluable, and something that can only be found in an in-person or online group therapy setting.

You Can See Your Experience Through a Different Lens

A powerful reality of group therapy is that by sitting alongside others in the same metaphorical boat as you and listening to their experiences closely, you may recognize certain things about your experience or certain patterns in your own behavior that you did not see before. While a therapist telling you that you have anxiety or depression may or may not resonate with you directly, hearing your peers’ firsthand experiences with living with depression or coping with anxiety may provide clarity about which behaviors in your own life can be attributed to your own mental health struggles. Seeing what coping methods work best for others may also help you to identify what can work to improve your mental health in your own day-to-day life.

It’s Accessible, Even with a Limited Budget

It’s no secret that most therapy can be cost-prohibitive. One of the many benefits of in-person or online group therapy is the fact that it can be available at a more accessible price point than individual, in-person therapy. And, while group therapy may cost less than a one-on-one session, you’re still receiving the same expert guidance from a licensed professional that you can expect from any other kind of therapy. Essentially, you get the same level of care and professional oversight, at a much lower cost per session.

How do I get started with group therapy?

So, you’ve weighed your options, considered all the benefits, and have decided you’re ready to explore group therapy. But where do you start? If you think group therapy is right for you, consider Grouport Therapy. Grouport has an expert team of licensed therapists ready to help you get started on your journey toward healing and recovery, no matter what struggles you may be facing. With online group therapy available to treat anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, substance abuse, relationship issues, and more, you’ll be able to find the right fit for you, and experience all the many benefits of online group therapy in a convenient and cost-efficient format.

With Grouport’s Online Group Therapy, getting started is easy. First, you’ll be able to choose your desired group and sign up for an affordable weekly plan. Next, you’ll schedule a 20-minute consultation with an intake counselor to ensure you’re receiving the best care for you and your specific needs and goals. After that, you are ready to begin online group therapy, meeting weekly with your group over video chat at the same time each week. You’re ready to get the help you need through a supportive, online group therapy environment.

Learn more and get started today!

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