What’s the deal with group therapy?
by Hannah Lee and Kelsey Schroeder
Therapy can often, from the outside, feel like a mysterious and ambiguous process. Thankfully, through advocacy work, mental health care has been destigmatized, but there’s still a long way to go. One way to make mental health care more accessible is to share information about what it’s all about and what it can offer. Group therapy is a valuable therapeutic “tool,” because it brings together a group of people with a shared experience or identity, along with a therapist facilitator, to support each other while building relationships, connections, and community. We wanted to share some ways that group therapy can be valuable, either on its own or paired with other therapeutic support you’re receiving!
Intention
Investing in yourself through individual therapy is a significant, meaningful, brave commitment. And sometimes, it can feel very private. The struggles that you’re working through in therapy, be it identity, a mental health symptom, or an experience, can feel like something you unpack only at a certain time and don’t have time or space to process in your “real” life. A group setting expands your support network while offering a dedicated space for yourself to feel seen, heard, accepted, and supported in the company of others.
Perspective
Have you ever thought, “I must be the only one who [fill in the blank]”? The community setting of a group challenges that critical thought, by creating the opportunity for others to say “me, too!” and “I can relate to that!” Group therapy offers a space for meaningful feedback or perspectives from multiple sources, both the facilitator and the other group members. It can also be helpful to see where others are in their journey, reflect on where you are, and hear about circumstances that are similar, yet different, from your own. One of the most powerful opportunities of groups is the chance for folks to hear from others at a different stage in their lives and perhaps draw something applicable for themselves.
Connection and community
When we are struggling with our mental health, or a situation in our life, it can be easy to feel that you’re the only one who’s struggling. Perhaps you see other parents, co-workers, or students and they seem to be coping better than you are. Or you know other people face anxiety or addiction, but it feels like it must be different from your experience. This isolation might contribute to self-doubt, stigma, or shame. A group can create a safe, shared space with other people that have a similar experience. It can be a reminder that you aren’t alone, normalize what you’re going through, and reduce isolation. Additionally, the opportunity to offer your insights to others can be healing in and of itself.
Growth
Clients have asked us, in different ways, “Sooo, when is the healing part done? It’s hard!” If you’ve ever felt this way, we understand! And while we can’t tell you that there’s a final destination and you can check “healing” off of your to-do list, groups offer access to a different type of personal growth at a different pace than individual therapy. When you’re reflecting on your inner experience in real time, while building relationships with others, you can develop a different kind of insight in the here-and-now. Coming back to that perspective, hearing from multiple people on a shared topic can accelerate your sense of reflection and accountability in a unique way.
Accessibility
Layers of societal inequities contribute to making mental health care expensive and inaccessible. While we collectively work towards a society that prioritizes and offers free access to health insurance and mental health care, we need therapy options that are affordable. Given that the cost of a group session is shared across the group members, groups can usually (not always) be more affordable than individual sessions. Whether you want to add to your existing therapy, or try it out for the first time, groups can be a vital way to access care. If you have insurance, there might be coverage for a group on your plan, and if you pay out of pocket, you can see if there are sliding scale rates available.
Deepening your experience of group therapy
Perhaps you’re already in a group, or you are curious about joining one. How might you approach the experience?
Think about what kind of group you are looking for
Similar to other types of therapy, it is helpful to take time and reflect on what you are hoping to get out of the experience, and perhaps what goals you have for yourself. It could be reflecting on what issues in your life might most benefit from a group - is there a topic you never have time to get to in individual therapy? Is there an identity that you feel you haven’t fully explored? Are you looking for a group that meets in person or virtually? The format of each group differs as well (stay tuned for another blog exploring this!) We offer a free 15-minute consultation call with the group facilitator to get to know them and ask any questions you might have!
Bring your perspective
While it can take some time to get to know group members and group dynamics, we encourage you to come to each group session with a goal for yourself (such as “I want to be curious about other people’s experiences”) or something to share (“I’d like to talk about my disagreement with my partner this week”). Groups benefit most from intentionality in active listening and active sharing: other people want to learn from you!
Reflect beyond the content
Groups are centered around a shared experience or identity, and there can be a lot to learn from other people’s perspectives. You might find yourself thinking about what someone else shared in the group, but there’s also value in reflecting on your physical and emotional experience of the group. Notice for yourself how it feels to share something vulnerable and be met with compassion and understanding. How does that feel in your body? When someone shares a perspective that differs from your own, how do you feel your reaction, emotionally and physically? How might you adopt a stance of curiosity? And what does it feel like to extend compassion to someone else? How might you share that same compassion with yourself?
Healing and self-exploration can happen in many different ways, and it’s nice to know the range of options available. We offer several groups at RTB, and if there’s a topic you’re interested in and we don’t offer a group for it, reach out to us anyway! Something might be in the works. You aren’t alone in what you’re facing and deserve support in being a human being.
Hannah runs a support group for pregnant people & parents every other Tuesday and a support group for caregivers every other Monday. Find the therapy group that’s right for you here!