The Hidden Benefits of Group Therapy
Supercharge the therapy process, save money, and have fun
People Who Haven't Tried Group Therapy Are Missing Out
When you imagine therapy, you might picture sitting one-on-one with a counselor. But group therapy offers a unique and powerful way to grow, connect, and heal. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, grief, relationship challenges, or simply want a safe space to feel supported, group therapy can provide something special that individual counseling can’t always capture.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve met one-on-one with a client and wished so bad I could have them speak with the other clients I’ve seen who share shockingly similar experiences.
There is something so incredibly powerful about hearing your experiences, worries, and thoughts be shared by someone else. It takes away some of their power. It makes you feel connected. Individual therapy can of course help with these same things but there are ways that healing in a group helps that individual work cannot compare to.
Let's Look at Some Benefits of Group Therapy
1. Connection and Belonging
Struggles often feel isolating. Group therapy helps you realize you’re not alone in what you’re experiencing. Hearing others share their stories can bring comfort, validation, and a sense of belonging. That connection is healing in itself.
Further, I’ve never seen a group that wasn’t enthusiastically supportive and encouraging of one another. Without fail, the healing nature and vulnerability of the group creates a beautiful stage where members are motivated and challenged but also safe and supported.
2. Learning Through Shared Experience
In individual therapy you have your experiences and your therapist’s experiences in the room at any given time. In group, however, you have both of those plus each additional group member brings their own perspective, strengths, and coping strategies. You’ll gain insights not just from the therapist but also from peers who understand what you’re going through. This offers a wealth of feedback, perspective, and shared learning that just simply isn’t available in traditional therapy settings.
3. A Safe Place to Practice Skills
Because of the organically created safety and comradery mentioned, groups provide a supportive space to build communication skills, set boundaries, and strengthen your confidence in managing emotions and relationships. It’s a powerful way to try out new ways of relating before bringing them into your everyday life. Rarely will you find another setting where you can share, practice, and refine skills in a more encouraging and safe environment.
4. It's More Affordable
This one is simple. Groups typically costs less than individual sessions. Not because they are less value though. Just because you’re clinician doesn’t need to charge you specifically enough to afford their services. The costs is shared among the group. Now you have a space where you can pay less, have powerful experiences, and your therapist is still properly reimbursed!
5. They're Way Less Scary Than People Think
Most people have never done group therapy and are justifiably anxious about the idea. I think they imagine taking their individual sessions and doing in front of strangers. But that’s not what groups usually look like. Groups are much more akin to any other small group of people with a shared interest you’ve been a part of (teams, book clubs, small groups, hobby groups, etc). Each group is facilitated by a therapist who generally takes the lead on a discussion and/or activities and the group joins in collectively.
Safety and comfort are a pivotal component of any of our groups and our therapists will always make sure groups are safe. No one is forced to share and boundaries are always respected.
Learn More About Our Group Options
We offer a variety of groups and are always opening and starting new opportunities. Visit our groups and classes page to learn more about specific groups. You can also submit your information in our contact log to request a call/email and more information about any specific group.