Group Therapy

What Is Group Therapy?

Group therapy is a therapeutic approach where multiple people attend a therapy session with one or more professionals simultaneously. Group therapy can be effective for all kinds of mental and behavioral health conditions, including:

There are many different types of group therapy, and each has its own benefits. It can be used as a stand-alone intervention or in tandem with individual therapy sessions.

What Should I Expect During Group Therapy?

Each group therapy experience is unique and will be somewhat tailored to the topic or condition being treated by the group. However, there are some common things you can expect when you attend group therapy.

The leader of the group will be a licensed professional who is trained in conducting group therapy. Depending on the group size, you may have more than one group leader. They will ensure that every group member is aware of the guidelines and boundaries that should be followed during group sessions. These may include:

Not interrupting members while they are talking
Refraining from direct conflict or criticism of group members
Being respectful of others’ opinions and feelings

A group therapy session can last one to two hours. Most groups cap the number of participants to keep the group small enough to ensure meaningful interactions. Groups may range from five to fifteen members. Meetings may be held in a therapy center, community center, psychiatric hospital, or rehab center.

You should also expect to share your feelings openly with the group, as this is important to the therapeutic process. Group leaders will help maintain a safe, judgment-free atmosphere to make you feel as comfortable as possible.

Types Of Group Therapy

There are as many types of group therapy as there are types of individual therapy. Each mental health condition has techniques and tools that are best used in therapeutic settings. Some group therapies will focus on mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. Other groups act as more peer support environments.

Mental Health Groups

Mental health groups exist to treat mental health conditions specifically. While many people seek individual therapy for these issues, group therapy adds another type of treatment to the mix. Group therapy can help treat:

Anxiety disorders
Depression
Trauma
ADHD
OCD
Personality disorders
Bipolar disorder
Eating disorders

Having a group of people around you who can understand and relate to your specific struggles can help you feel less alone and isolated as you work toward the shared goal of healing.

Support Groups

It’s important to note that support groups are different from traditional therapy groups in that they are not led by a professional therapist but rather peer-led. The setting is often less clinical and more focused on group members sharing their personal stories and comforting one another. Common support group topics include:

Grief and loss
Abuse survivors
Substance use recovery
Divorce and other big life changes

A support group can be utilized in tandem with another type of group therapy or on its own.

Addiction Treatment Group Work

Group work has been used to treat substance use disorders for a long time now. Most recovery centers and rehabs will use group therapy as part of their treatment programs. These groups can be traditional groups led by professional therapists or peer-support groups like you find in many 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Group Therapy Techniques

There are concepts and techniques specific to group therapy. Many mental health professionals are familiar with the stages of group therapy that were first written by psychologist Bruce Tuckman. Tuckman’s model of group development poses that there are five stages a group goes through, and each stage will have its own therapeutic techniques.

1. Forming

This beginning stage of group therapy is where members are first introduced, and trust begins to build. Activities may include:

Icebreakers that help members get to know each other
Creating group contracts and agreements that allow members to trust one another
Setting group goals
Trust-building activities

Once group members start to feel like they know each other better, they will move on to the next stage.

2. Storming

When different personalities and opinions come to light in a group, conflict and tensions inevitably arise. This stage can feel uncomfortable, but it is important to find cohesion and learn how to work through problems. At this stage, a group leader is very involved in ensuring that all group members are heard, group rules are followed, and disruptions are worked through in a healthy way.

3. Norming

Once a group has started to work through conflict, they will reach this stage where members trust each other and appreciate their differences. This is where group norms will begin to form, setting the stage for how the group members will interact as they begin to share more about their issues and feelings.

The group leader will use a technique called modeling at this stage. They will model appropriate behavior that helps to build healthy norms for the group. Some of the behaviors they will model include:

Nonjudgmental acceptance of others
Active listening
Allowing for sharing from all group members
Not interrupting
Showing compassion

Once healthy norms are established, the group is ready for the working stage.

4. Performing

Now that trust has been established, the group can share more openly with one another. Techniques in this stage may include:

Writing assignments that members share with the group
Role-playing exercises between group members
Sharing personal stories with the group
Offering support and empathy for members
Exchanging ideas and helping each other move toward goals

This next stage is where most of the productivity and progress takes place.

5. Adjourning

Once group goals have been achieved, the leader will walk the members through a termination process. This often includes dissolving team structures, with members reflecting on their experiences and transitioning to new roles or other groups.

This stage often creates feelings of relief and sadness as team members are recognized for their participation and achievement and have an opportunity to say personal goodbyes.

What Group Therapy Can Help With

Whatever issue you may be facing, group therapy can have a positive impact. Like individual therapy, group work can help with most mental health conditions.

Group therapy has been known to be specifically helpful for people with conditions that cause them to struggle in social settings, such as personality disorders. In group therapy, members can address social interaction issues with a professional to take responsibility for their own issues and move forward with meaningful change.

Benefits Of Group Therapy

The benefits of group therapy are vast and vary between each specific group and the issues they are tackling. Some benefits may include:

Feeling less alone when you hear others with similar problems
Helping others in the group, which may give you a sense of purpose
Seeing others in the group improve, which can increase hope for your own progress
Sharing knowledge and helpful tips about what has helped you along your journey
Having group dynamics mirror that of a family system, which may provide a chance to heal from childhood wounds
Finding a supportive and trustworthy space where you belong
Understanding yourself and where you need to grow, which can be made more evident in group settings than individual therapy

In addition to these therapeutic benefits, group therapy is often more cost-efficient than individual therapy. This allows you to attend more sessions and not worry about financial stress.

Joining A Group

Deciding to join a group can feel daunting at first. If you are considering joining a group, start by asking yourself some questions:

Are you looking for group therapy for a specific demographic? (adults, teens, men, women, etc.)?
What sort of problems are you hoping to address in group work?
Is it a closed or revolving group, and how much time do you have to commit to the process?
What are the costs?

Talking with a professional, such as your primary care physician, psychiatrist, or individual therapist, may also be helpful. They can share helpful resources and referrals for you to consider when making the decision.

Next Steps

Group therapy is an excellent treatment option for most any mental and behavioral health condition. Meeting with a group of people who share similar problems can offer a sense of belonging and a safe space to learn new skills and overcome your issues.

If you are interested in finding a group that could benefit you and your specific needs, contact your medical provider or search online for options in your area.

Last Updated: January 14, 2025

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