The Underrated Power of Group Therapy

Let’s be honest the idea of group therapy can feel really scary to many people, and understandably so. There are a lot of misconceptions and incorrect assumptions about what group therapy is like and who it is for. Most everyone has seen some form of group therapy depicted in television or the movies, that painted group therapy as awkward, confrontational, chaotic, or tense. You might picture sitting in a circle of metal chairs, being forced to share your deepest secrets with a group of strangers, or listening to a never-ending vent session where no one actually gets help.

You may also have concerns about privacy and whether what you share in a group setting will really stay in the room. This is a common fear, and it’s taken seriously in therapeutic spaces. Group therapy operates under the same core principle as individual therapy in regards to confidentiality. At the beginning of any group, members are asked to commit to keeping what’s shared in the group private. While no therapist can guarantee what another participant will do, well-facilitated groups emphasize trust, respect, and clear boundaries to protect everyone’s privacy. Most people find that this shared agreement creates a strong sense of safety over time. These fears are completely valid, but but the good news is, that’s not how group therapy actually works.

Group Therapy Formats Vary Widely.

Knowing the difference between types of groups can help you feel more confident in choosing one that’s right for you. Some groups are “open” groups, meaning that individuals can join or stop attending the group at any point in time. Other groups are “closed” groups which means that the members start and finish together, with no new additions mid-way. Along with open and closed, there are also time-limited vs open-ended groups. Time-limited groups have set start and end dates and are often psychoeducational. They are typically more structured and have a set curriculum with pre-determined topics or skills that will be covered. Open-ended groups have no set end-date and the duration of the group typically continues until members no longer see a clear benefit. Open-ended groups often involve less didactic work and are usually support-based. It’s important to recognize this distinction because this can help you understand what type of commitment you’d be signing up for when joining a group as well as what type of experience you might get out of it. It also gives you a better sense of what other group members may be looking for; whether it's connection, accountability, education, or shared healing.

Why Group Therapy Works

A common question people ask is “why would I join a therapy group when I could either get support or learn specific skills from my therapist in individual sessions? The answer is simple but powerful: because we heal in connection with others. Human beings are relational creatures. While individual therapy is incredibly helpful, group therapy offers something unique:

• It reduces shame.There’s something profoundly healing about hearing “me too” from someone who gets it and who maybe is going through the exact same thing. When another person describes the same struggles you've been carrying silently, it creates connection and can also provide a sense of relief that you are not alone.

• It expands your perspective.In a group, you don’t just get support from one person, you also receive feedback, encouragement, and insight from others who may be at different places in their own healing. You’ll likely see yourself reflected in their stories and discover blind spots you didn’t realize you had.

• It helps you practice real-life skills in real time.Whether it’s setting a boundary, tolerating discomfort, or practicing a specific therapy skill, a group is a safe place to try new things and get this practice in with others, while receiving real-time feedback.
  

Group therapy can be a useful adjunct to individual therapy. Some individuals could really benefit from more frequent sessions but because of scheduling, financial barriers, physical location, or other reasons, are unable to do 1:1 sessions as often as they’d like. Group therapy can be a great way to continue the momentum of individual sessions by offering ongoing support, accountability, and skill reinforcement between individual therapy sessions. It creates an additional space for reflection and growth. Groups are also typically more affordable per session than individual therapy, and therefore might be a more financially feasible solution for some people. Group therapy can be a standalone treatment as well. Some individuals actually find that they open up more easily in a group setting, where the pressure isn’t solely on them, and where listening to others helps them better understand their own experience. Groups can build motivation in ways individual work can’t. Seeing others make progress, share setbacks, or ask questions you hadn’t thought of yet can reignite hope and give you a sense of direction. It’s also a powerful antidote to the isolation that often comes with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or trauma. The truth is, the healing potential of group therapy isn’t just in the curriculum or the therapist’s guidance, it's in the group experience itself. When facilitated well, group therapy becomes a dynamic environment where participants support each other, share meaningful insights, and observe each other’s progress over time. Group therapy isn’t a lesser version of individual therapy. It’s a research-backed approach that offers connection, perspective, and growth in ways that individual work alone sometimes can’t. Whether you're looking to deepen the progress you're already making in therapy or seeking a more affordable alternative place to start, group therapy can be a great option. If you’ve ever felt isolated in your struggles, a group might be exactly what you didn’t know you needed.