What Is Group Therapy?

Takeaway: Group therapy is a mode of therapy where two or more individuals work with a mental health counselor to address a common issue or concern. This type of therapy covers a wide range of concerns but is especially helpful for depression, schizophrenia, OCD, eating disorders, and chronic pain. It is also beneficial for those in marginalized communities. 

There are a variety of types of therapy. Most people are familiar with an individual therapy setting: just you and your counselor or therapist. However, another common form of therapy is in the group setting. So, what is group therapy? Who is it best suited for? What are the benefits of group therapy? What topics are discussed in this kind of setting? 

Group therapy involves at least two individuals trying to work through a common concern or problem with one or two mental health professionals (Psychology Today, 2023). These concerns can range from anxiety, depression, time management, parenting, and more. Lauren Bartels, a former therapist intern at Feel Good Counseling discusses what group members might work on. She states, “Members support one another, learn new skills, and practice healthy ways to cope with challenges.” 

Can group therapy be just as effective as individual therapy? Well, yes it can. According to the American Psychological Association (2023), group therapy is just as beneficial as an individual therapy format for many types of disorders including depression, schizophrenia, OCD, eating disorders, and chronic pain and has been especially useful for marginalized individuals such as those in the LGBTQ+ community. So, group therapy can be helpful for a wide array of individuals, and it is just about finding the right group for you. 

Not only is group therapy effective for a wide population, there are personal benefits that members might gain from participating in this process. Lauren Bartels lists a number of positives that members might receive from group therapy: 

1. Connection and Support

2. Learning from Others

3. Skill-Building

4. Increased Self-Awareness

5. Having a Safe Space

“Specifically at Feel Good Counseling, our group therapies are geared toward children and teens who want to improve coping skills. This can also benefit siblings, parents and friends when we see those changes and skills carry into their personal, home and school life.” -Lauren Bartel, MHP, former intern at Feel Good Counseling Center

There are a number of benefits to doing group therapy, but there are some important factors to keep in mind if this is something that you are considering. You should expect to share what you are comfortable with and you might need to try out a couple of different groups before finding the right one (Verywellmind, 2024). 

If you are considering group therapy we encourage you to do your research online finding groups in your area at a site for your specific concern. Feel Good Counseling Center currently offers an adolescent group for ages 8-12 at our South Barrington location that focuses on a variety of topics including but not limited to: 

1. Coping with Stress and Anxiety

2. Building Self-esteem and Self-confidence

3. Boundary Setting 

4. Managing Anger and Big Emotions

5. Handling Peer Pressure

6. Conflict Management

7. Stressors with School

8. Friendships’

What Is Group Counseling? | Psychology Today

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