Group Therapy Q&A

How is group therapy different from individual therapy?

Group therapy brings strangers together to discuss challenges and frustrations openly. Led by a trained therapist, the process fosters personal discovery and guidance to improve interpersonal skills. Group therapy, combined with individual therapy, can be a very powerful tool. And group therapy alone can be a more cost-effective method for personal growth.

Group therapy is different than individual therapy because of the group dynamic. A skilled therapist works hard to facilitate the relationships among group members. At the same time, in order to achieve the desired self-discovery and growth, group members must work hard too. This experience builds interpersonal skills and helps participants practice at improving areas of conflict in their lives outside of the group.

Who is a good candidate for group therapy?

High-functioning adults seeking help with handling the interpersonal challenges of family, in-laws, coworkers, friends, and neighbors can find it helpful to have a safe, confidential space in which to discuss people who annoy, frustrate, hurt, or upset them.

How does group therapy work?

What happens in your interpersonal relationships in your day-to-day life gets reenacted in the group therapy setting. Group therapy can be a potent learning opportunity because people in the group will be honest with you in a way that people in regular life won’t be. Everyone is there to learn about themselves and how to improve their interpersonal relationships. After you receive feedback from the group, this gives you a deeper understanding of yourself and provides you with a safe place to practice a better way of relating.