Is Group Therapy For You?
Bryanna Campbell, PsyD
March 2025
You’ve probably seen group therapy mentioned before, but how do you know if it’s the right fit for you?
When you hear the words "group therapy," what comes to mind? Excitement? Nervousness? Or maybe even a little mental shut-down? I get it—the idea of group therapy can stir up a wide range of feelings for different people.
The decision to consider group therapy in your mental health journey is an important one. Sometimes, there are aspects of our experiences that are easier to explore in a group setting than in individual therapy or on our own. Whether it's connecting with others, sharing experiences, or getting feedback in real-time, group therapy offers a unique opportunity for growth.
Keep reading to explore the benefits, potential challenges, and discover who might find the most value in group therapy. Let’s see if this could be the right path for you!
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where the therapist(s) (or group leaders) facilitate therapeutic interventions with a small group of individuals who likely share similar concerns or goals. In a group therapy setting, participants engage in discussions, share their experiences, provide support to one another, and receive feedback from both the therapist and fellow group members. This form of therapy is unique in that it allows participants to learn from one another, learn to practice social skills at their own pace, and gain a deeper and more intentional insight into their own thoughts and behaviors in a supportive environment. Group therapy can address a wide range of issues, such as anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, and relationship difficulties.
Group therapy can happen in person or even virtually, with virtual options becoming more widespread recently. Groups often meet on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.
This form of therapy has several types to choose from including (but not limited to):
Support groups: These are not necessarily therapy groups, but a place for people with common concerns to spend time sharing their experiences and giving and receiving support from fellow group members. Support groups are typically led by a trained facilitator or therapist but can also be peer-led.
The main goal of a support group is to help you feel less isolated by connecting with others who understand your struggles. The group seeks to provide you with a space to express your feelings, share coping strategies, and gain strength from others who are navigating similar situations.
Support groups are commonly used by people dealing with specific issues such as addiction, grief, chronic illness, mental health conditions, or trauma. These groups are typically less structured than psychoeducational or process groups, with the emphasis being on mutual support rather than education or emotional processing. Support groups can be seen under the umbrella of group therapy, but do not have to be therapeutic in nature.
Examples of support groups: Support for caregivers, support for people affected by a natural disaster, post-election stress support
Psychoeducational groups: These groups are similar to support groups, but maintain focus on educating the participants on a particular psychological topic. These groups aim to teach you about mental health concepts, skills, or strategies that can help you manage or cope with particular challenges. They typically involve structured sessions where the therapist(s) or facilitator(s) present you with information on topics like stress management, anxiety reduction strategies, communication skills, or understanding and managing depressive symptoms. Group members engage in discussions, ask questions, and practice newly learned techniques in a supportive environment.
The main goal of psychoeducational groups is to empower you with knowledge and practical skills and tools to improve their mental health and well-being. These groups are typically more st structured than support groups, with the emphasis being on education instead of mutual support or emotional processing.
Examples of psychoeducational groups: Anxiety reduction skills group, navigating ADHD skills group, coping skills group for depression
Process groups: These groups are typically facilitated by a licensed therapist (and sometimes more than one!). Process groups are mainly focused on interpersonal dynamics and learning more about how you exist in relationships and how others experience you. This type of group is very experiential in nature, which means the facilitator(s) will maintain a focus on what’s happening in the present time between group members. Participants are often encouraged to share their current thoughts and feelings as they arise in the moment.
One of the main goals of a process group is to help you gain insight into how you relate to others, illuminate and explore your patterns of behavior, and to address common interpersonal issues such as navigating trust, conflict, and communication. The facilitator(s) will engage you with psychological interventions that promote introspection and
These types of groups seek to help you work through personal challenges that are often social in nature, develop social and emotional skills, and help you make changes in your behaviors and relationships. These groups are typically less structured than some other types of therapy groups and place a heavy emphasis on group dynamics and emotional exploration.
Note: There are also types of groups that do not necessarily fall in the structure of the above listed groups, but they can be incredibly valuable as well.
Examples of process groups: interpersonal process group, grief process groups, art therapy process groups
Benefits of Group Therapy
The benefits of group therapy are numerous! Group therapy illustrates the power of community and the value in sharing and learning from others who are experiencing something similar to you. Group therapy can help increase feelings of connection and can give you a place to practice thinking, expressing, and behaving differently in an environment that encourages growth and safety. It gives a chance to learn and improve communication skills, increase your interpersonal insights, and can empower you to make choices more aligned with your values. Group therapy can help remind you that while your concerns are unique to you, you are not alone. This form of therapy often costs less than individual therapy as well.
Who Can Benefit from Group Therapy?
Group therapy can be a space to explore a variety of concerns, such as relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and so much more. It can be especially beneficial if you…
…value connection and find meaning in hearing and learning from the lived experiences of others
…are open to giving and receiving thoughtful, constructive feedback from group members and facilitators
…are willing to embrace vulnerability and discomfort in the service of your own growth
…are willing to acknowledge that you are continuously learning about yourself
…are looking for support for your everyday concerns
…are someone who appreciates structure but also thrives in a communal, supportive environment
…are interested in deepening your self-awareness and your relationships with others
…are interested in trying out new ways of relating and interacting with others
Group therapy can be a standalone treatment, and it can also be used alongside individual therapy. In my decade of experience in facilitating therapy groups I have observed that group therapy can help you explore and address aspects of your life that might be harder to reach in individual therapy. The shared experiences and supportive environment of the group can bring out new insights and perspectives, offering a gentle space where you can navigate challenges in a way that's often different from one-on-one sessions
I have collaborated with many clients who moved through their individual therapy goals, but shared that they felt like they had more to address as it related to their relationships. This is usually where I would recommend group therapy as there are some therapeutic concerns that can be more deeply addressed while being in relationship with others.
Challenges of Group Therapy
There are some challenges that group therapy can pose that can be helpful to consider.
Group therapy encourages open sharing among participants, which often involves vulnerability. This can raise concerns about privacy—specifically, the fear that what’s shared may not remain confidential. To address this, facilitators typically ask all group members to commit to maintaining privacy regarding anything discussed within the group.
As with any social setting, a variety of personalities come together in a group. While these differences can sometimes lead to discomfort or even conflict, they also provide valuable opportunities for growth and understanding—especially when guided by a skilled facilitator.
For example, someone who is more introverted might find it difficult to speak up in a group with more extroverted individuals, while a more assertive member could unintentionally overshadow quieter members, making it harder for them to share. On the other hand, someone with a passive or conflict-avoidant personality may struggle to express their feelings, which could lead to frustration or disengagement, both within themselves and the group. These dynamics, however, can be addressed and worked through, especially in process groups where the focus is on exploring emotions and interactions in real time.
One key difference between individual and group therapy is that individual therapy provides more tailored, one-on-one attention, while group therapy is a shared experience where participants engage with one another. The collective nature of group therapy creates a sense of community, but it also means that everyone shares time and space.
Similar to individual therapy, your satisfaction in group therapy often comes from consistent participation and engagement. Group therapy can become a space to learn healthy interdependence, but inconsistencies in attendance or involvement can affect how connected you feel—and how connected others feel to you.
Is Group Therapy Right for You?
Here are some self-reflection questions that can help you consider if group therapy is for you:
Do I enjoy sharing my thoughts with others?
Am I open to receiving feedback from people who are going through similar experiences?
Do I prefer a sense of community in my therapy process?
Am I noticing myself in social patterns that I want more clarity about?
Am I willing to make the time commitment often needed for group participation?
Am I willing to be vulnerable with others at a pace that makes sense for me?
Do I want to learn skills to help me with my mental wellness?
Grouping it all together
Group therapy can be a great choice for those who want to do therapeutic or support work alongside others. There are different types of groups to consider and there are benefits and challenges that could be considered to make an informed decision about whether or not group therapy is a good fit for you.
If you’re considering group therapy, take the next step in exploring how it could support your personal growth and healing. Reach out to a licensed therapist or local agencies to discuss whether group therapy could be a good fit for you.
Vital Voyages Psychological Services offers group therapy! Take a look at the “services” tab to see what groups are currently being offered. Contact us to schedule your free group screening to determine if group therapy with Vital Voyages can help you on your voyage to mental wellness.
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