Group Therapy

What is group counseling?

       Group counseling, also known as group therapy, is a form of psychotherapy that involves a group of individuals meeting with a therapist to discuss and address shared concerns. It provides a safe and supportive space for individuals to share their experiences, offer mutual support, and learn from each other in a collaborative setting.

       Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which people who have similar problems or share similar experiences meet together and work on those common issues.

       Group therapy has been around for centuries, but it has found its way into contemporary society in the last 50 years. Group therapy works today much like from previous eras. The main purpose of group therapy is to provide support and resources to those who are struggling with personal issues and find it difficult to resolve on their own.

       The general purpose of group therapy is to help people in need of a supportive environment where they can voice their thoughts and feelings without fear and judgment from others. It is designed to help people better understand themselves and their relationships with others. Group therapy is used to help people overcome obstacles, such as mental disorders, addiction, and grief.

Characteristics of group therapy:

Group therapy can be between families, couples, or a group of strangers with a common goal/need.

Group sessions are held in a safe, comfortable space where clients feel free to share their thoughts and feelings.

Group therapists may not have been trained in the same field as individuals seeking help, but they represent the skill set that group members need.

Group discussions help people to share their personal experiences in a supportive environment.

Group therapy sessions give people the opportunity to talk about their feelings without the fear of being judged or shamed by others.

Groups are not necessarily limited to adults; they can also include adolescents or children.

       A group therapy session begins with an intake session where the therapist asks participants about their life history and mental health condition. The leader also discusses whether they prefer to do their work in small groups or one-on-one sessions. In group therapy, members are encouraged to share their experiences and problems. The sessions can be helpful in eliminating the barriers that exist between people, promoting trust and understanding, and providing a sense of belonging and identity.

Different Types of Group Therapy

Group therapy can be open, allowing anyone who might benefit to attend, while other groups may be kept private to the participation of a certain therapist or clinic’s patients. Group therapy can also address a number of different mental health issues, including:

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
• Cognitive behavior therapy - 

  helps people to identify and change patterns of negative thoughts and behaviors.

• Interpersonal therapy - 

  helps people with several different mental health problems by addressing their personal relationships, including family, friends, and colleagues. These group therapy sessions can often be broken into small groups to work on peer-to-peer relationships.

• Addiction and substance abuse
• Grief and Trauma
• Chronic illness
• Depression or Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Eating disorders
• Psychoeducational therapy - nvolves a group of people who are working on common problems. It's typically used when someone has experienced a significant life event and needs to process what happened.

• Skill development therapy - is designed to help people improve their skills in different fields. This kind of therapy uses the idea of learning through doing and teaching by example to achieve this goal.

• Support group therapy - is an approach for treating groups of individuals with a diagnosis of a mental disorder such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and more. This kind of therapy includes peer-support groups to deal with the symptoms of the disorder and provides a sense of belonging.

Cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT)

Cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) tries to help people through the use of behavioral techniques. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the way thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact over time to influence behavior.

An example of this is when an individual feels hopeless, and they begin to think that life is not worth living because they are constantly overwhelmed with tasks. The therapist can help the individual become hyper-aware of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors so the person can make changes in the way they interact with others. An example of this kind of therapy would be when people have a problem with anxiety, such as agoraphobia. CBGT helps them by teaching them how to manage their anxiety and what avoidance means for them mentally and physically.

The Benefits of Group Therapy

Research has shown that group therapy can be beneficial for patients, giving them a more affordable yet still effective alternative to individual sessions. Group therapy also supplements individual therapy and medication well, in many cases.

One of the great benefits of group therapy is that it helps people realize they are not isolated in their struggles. Seeing how others cope with similar experiences can help them move towards healing more quickly and effectively.

Everyone can take their own approach to group therapy. Those who are more verbal may enjoy sharing a good deal, while some might benefit from listening at first. Personalizing your approach helps ensure that you can benefit from the process.