The Pros And Cons Of Group Therapy

Are you considering going to therapy, but you're not sure what route to take? With the wealth of options available, it can be difficult to know which is right for you. Many counseling types can help you overcome mental health or relationship concerns, such as behavioral, cognitive, and interpersonal therapy. While these techniques are common in individual therapy, another therapeutic approach, group therapy, helps people.

There are many factors to consider about group psychotherapy. If you hope to make a good decision regarding what type of care is right for you, you should be informed of both its positive and negative aspects.

The pros of group therapy

Group therapy is evidence-based and borrows from many well-supported techniques used in individual counseling, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Here are some of the more common benefits that are obtained when choosing therapy in a group setting over individual therapy.

Group therapy helps you find kindred spirits

When we are experiencing mental health difficulties, it can be easy to believe that we are alone. Because of the stigma surrounding mental health and therapy alike, a significant number of people experience feelings of isolation and loneliness when trying to cope with their mental health and life challenges.

Group therapy is a setting you can attend where you are in the company of others who are experiencing similar problems to yours. In group therapy sessions, you can relate to them and get help and feedback from others in the same situation, and vice versa. This can be particularly helpful if the thought of your being alone is making you feel worse.

The relationships that you build in group therapy can be long-lasting and meaningful. You might find someone with the same issues as you but who deals with them differently. This can help to enrich your life as you can learn their perspective and potentially build off of what they have already begun. You might also be a kindred spirit to someone else. Many people who are in group therapy find great satisfaction in that they can help others while simultaneously getting help themselves.

Group therapy makes you brave

Once you are established in your therapy group, it may begin to serve as a sort of safety net. Many people who have found success with group therapy report that knowing they have a group of people who care and understand to rely on helps them face challenging issues like substance abuse.

You will likely build a strong relationship with at least some of the members of your support groups. Depending on the cognitive-behavioral techniques of your group therapy, you may be asked to talk about your week and take some time discussing how you felt throughout the week. The other people in your group will listen and offer advice or encouragement regularly. The reason this is helpful for many is that your therapy group often doubles as a support group.

One of the benefits of group therapy is that you will be more likely to take risks and do things that are good for your mental health. For example, you might be scared of rejection, which causes you to fear speaking to others. If you know you have a group to report back to who will hear and lift you, perhaps you go out on a limb and talk to a cute stranger. No matter how it goes, you know you have that safety net to fall back on each week. 

There are other reasons why individuals may find some benefits of group counseling, but seeking any treatment at all is, in the end, usually more helpful than not taking any actions at all to improve your mental health.

Group therapy helps you give and get support

The main difference between group and individual therapy is how it is conducted. Traditional one-on-one therapy consists of seeing the same therapist each week and talking between you to reach a goal. Group therapy is more of a collaborative effort. This is one of the great pros. We as people learn from not only information but also the experiences of others.

Participants of therapy groups are encouraged to get involved in the therapy process, such as in group treatment approaches to substance use disorder. You and the other participants will likely be encouraged to offer support and advice as others speak, to ask questions, express your own perspectives, and so on. Additionally, when you express an issue, others will listen and respond in the best way they can to help you. The leading therapist may chime in at times, but the beauty of group therapy is the input you will receive from those who have gone through or who are going through similar things as you.

The skills you develop while in group therapy will likely follow you outside of the group, especially those communicated during psychoeducational groups. The communication and support skills that you learn will probably cross over into almost every part of your life. This is a great strength of group therapy, since it is enriching in more ways than one.

Group therapy gives you a wider range of perspectives

When you are having a therapy session one-on-one with a therapist, there are, generally speaking, only two perspectives. In group therapy, you can gain many at once.

The good thing about gaining multiple perspectives is the clarity it can give you. Sometimes, hearing how the things we say are coming across to other people can clarify how we need to heal and move forward. Additionally, your perspective will matter to others, making you feel worthy and part of a team. This is something we all deserve, especially those of us who may be having a difficult time.

The perspective you receive in group therapy sessions is invaluable. For many, this is one of the main reasons they choose group therapy. This is especially helpful for those who may benefit from or prefer more than one solution to any given problem. The members of your group will all be able to weigh in and suggest positive action that can be taken to fix your issues.

The cons of group therapy

As mentioned, group therapy is not appropriate for all people and all concerns.

Group therapy can present personality conflicts

If you sit in any room with a variety of other people long enough, personality conflicts are likely to occur. Because of this, you may not get along with someone from within your group. This can cause setbacks in your healing. 

Your lead therapist will do their best to steer the conversation into a positive place, but sometimes negativity or not feeling fully comfortable can't be prevented.

Group therapy poses a risk of feeling rejected

Although many group initiatives do a very good job of making everyone feel included, there are times when you may begin feeling unappreciated or disliked. You might notice a particular member of the group receiving more attention than others or feel as if your views and opinions are not heard during discussion. 

Even though the likelihood of this happening is rare, it should still be considered. Consider whether the presence of others will make you feel competitive, compared to, or supported.