Groups can be intimidating at first and people sometimes avoid them due to fear of the unknown. You may be wondering about group therapy as a treatment option for your child or yourself. Our hope with this blog post is to share some insight into what a group is like and to offer some of the powerful benefits of participating in group therapy.

Here are 7 Benefits of Group Therapy...

1. Developing Communication Skills

Groups can be incredible for developing and practicing communication. In real time, a therapist is guiding the group members to interact and communicate with each other. This allows for growth and practice of these skills to happen in tandem. In individual sessions, we discuss communication skills and styles of communicating with others, but practicing these skills with peers is left up to homework and a client remembering to try them at home and at school. When you learn and use communication skills in groups, these things are happening automatically in the moment and there’s the benefit of having a supportive therapist guiding you and ensuring your success.

2. Remembering That You Are Not Alone

When you are dealing with different mental health struggles like depression, anxiety or many other things, it is easy to slip into feeling alone - as if you are the only person in the world with problems like this. When you participate in a group, you will find that many people experience similar struggles and you can develop a sense of camaraderie that you wouldn't have otherwise. Just having a safe space to connect and talk with people who “get” what you’re going through can be tremendously supportive.

3. Practice with Giving and Receiving Support

Within the group, there is an expectation for participants to share and support one another. Having a safe space to practice giving and receiving support and feedback can help you develop confidence and encourage you to carry over these skills into your day-to-day interactions with family, friends, and peers at school or work. Learning how to give and receive support from peers is something that you just can't get as well from individual therapy.

4. Having a Safety Net

Group offers a strong safety net to each participant. When you are feeling stuck, alone or just “off”, a group can be a fun, safe place to land and process with people you know will support and understand what you’re going through. The benefit of having group support gives you a leg up when you are feeling down and a pat on the back when you are celebrating your wins. Plus, the addition of a therapist gives you real time skills and suggestions within the supportive group space.

5. Learning to Better Relate to Others

You may struggle to find ways to relate to others, particularly when you are having a hard time. Being inside a group can give you a chance to practice listening, talking, and engaging with your peers, knowing that it’s OK to engage around difficult topics. In a group therapy setting (unlike many other social settings) you can be sure that the space is safe and confidential. You can practice being more open and authentic in a group therapy setting, knowing that the people in the group will have an understanding of your experiences, giving you an opportunity to relate in an authentic manner, even on those difficult days when you and/or other group members are experiencing challenges.

6. Accountability

Group therapy can be instrumental in holding you accountable in making progress. Many times group participants set goals within the group and then report back on progress from week to week. Group members have an opportunity to support one another and to hold each other accountable through these weekly check-ins. This process can be quite encouraging and uplifting for members who look forward to sharing about their progress and personal accomplishments in between sessions. When you have a group to support you and hold you accountable, chances are you will be more apt to try new things so you can celebrate successes and can get support around ongoing struggles.

7. Developing Confidence

Having a safe place to practice communication skills, goal setting, being open and authentic, and giving and receiving support with others helps group members to develop improved self-confidence in other areas of their lives. As a group member, you learn to speak up for yourself, pour into yourself, and show support for the people around you. This automatically translates into your relationships outside of the group, allowing you to feel more confident in your interactions and to have a place to fall back on and lean in for help when needed.

There’s no doubt that making a decision to start group therapy yourself or to enroll your child in group therapy can be intimidating at first. As with all new things, the idea of joining a group may take some getting used to and will likely require you and/or your child to push outside of your comfort zone. It’s important to keep in mind all of the positive things groups have to offer and the many unique benefits that only group therapy offers.

This blog post was written by Samantha Sanborn, LPC, one of the incredible therapists at FVCC. Samantha provides individual and group therapy at the practice and specializes in work with older adolescents, young adults and adults who are dealing with a range of clinical issues, including anxiety, depression, and everyday life stressors.