Group therapy: Types, benefits, and what to expect

Reviewed by Stephanie Steinman, PhD, CSAC

Written by

Last updated: 06/24/2024

A therapy group sits in a circle talking the help of a therapist

What is group therapy?

In group therapy, one or more therapists work with multiple people in the same session. Groups can offer a safe space for people dealing with similar conditions or struggles. Participants talk about their shared experiences and provide support to one another.

Unlike individual therapy between one client and a therapist, group therapy can help clients find support and build relationships with peers experiencing the same issue.

Types of group therapy

Groups can be structured in different ways based on participants’ needs. They may be open, allowing new members to join at any time, or closed, with all members beginning treatment at the same time.

Group therapy can be tailored to many different circumstances. A group may offer support for a particular mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety. It may focus on improving social skills, or help participants learn to manage difficult emotions such as anger.

Other topics that group therapy has been used to address include:

There are some situations in which a group therapy format isn’t appropriate. People struggling with suicidal thoughts or who are in crisis are usually recommended to seek individual therapy to receive more focused attention and care. However, some group therapy happens in a hospital setting where other clients may have suicidal thoughts.

If you or a loved one are in crisis, help is available now. For free, confidential 24/7 support, please call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741741.

Group therapy approaches

Groups can be structured around a variety of different therapeutic approaches. They may provide:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can be particularly effective for anxiety and depression. CBT-based groups help members change patterns of thinking, emotional reactions, and unhelpful behaviors. Participants learn to recognize how they’re feeling, identify their negative thoughts, and replace them with healthier alternatives.
Psychoeducation, which focuses on teaching group members about their mental health conditions. Members learn how their conditions impact them and acquire skills to help them cope.
Support to help people struggling with grief, terminal illness, or a variety of other mental and physical health conditions.
Interpersonal therapy (IPT) to help members understand, develop, and improve their relationships.
Skill development to help members learn and practice new skills—often including social skills. This is one portion of dialectical behavior therapy’s structured approach to treatment for borderline personality disorder and other disorders.
Process-oriented therapy, which focuses on the here-and-now interactions among group members. These sessions encourage you to express your thoughts and feelings in the moment, exploring interpersonal dynamics and personal issues.

What to expect in group therapy

In general, there are five stages of “closed group” therapy:¹

Forming: In this initial stage, group members get to know each other and start to understand the purpose and structure of the group. There may be some anxiety and uncertainty as members are just beginning to form impressions and understand the group norms.
Storming: Members may experience conflicts or challenges as they start to express their individual opinions and differences become more apparent. This is a critical time for establishing trust and open communication within the group.
Norming: Members begin to resolve their differences, appreciate peers’ strengths, and respect the authority of the group leader. Cohesion starts to form, and the group develops its own identity and norms for behavior.
Performing: This stage features high levels of productivity, problem-solving, and collaboration. The group has established a strong bond, and members work effectively toward their goals.
Adjourning: In the final phase, the group disbands. Members reflect on their accomplishments and the relationships they’ve built. There may be feelings of loss as the group experience comes to an end, and this is acknowledged and processed.

These stages are not always linear and some groups may revisit stages multiple times as they develop and face new challenges. If the group is open and new members join, the stages may be affected.

It’s important that a group therapist guides the group through these stages, facilitating their progress and managing the dynamics that arise.

How many people are in a group?

Typically, a group therapy session has between 8 and 12 members, which is considered the ideal size.² It’s important that participants share similar issues that they’re trying to address, but other than this the group may be widely varied in terms of approach.

Where do therapy groups meet?

Group therapy sessions can be held in a variety of settings. Common locations include mental health clinics, hospitals, private therapy practices, community centers, and sometimes in schools or workplaces.

Many environments can work for group therapy, as long as they ensure confidentiality and provide a safe, comfortable space for all members. Some group therapy sessions may take place online through video conferencing tools, which can provide greater accessibility for participants.

For in-person group therapy sessions, the seating setup is kept simple. If someone can’t make it to a session, their chair is often left empty. This helps to acknowledge their place in the group and signifies their importance.

How often do groups meet?

The number of times a group meets can vary. Some groups might meet once a week, while others could meet several times a day, depending on what the group members need and the rules of the clinic.

How long do group therapy sessions last?

Sessions can last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half.³ The whole course of group therapy might go on for up to 25 sessions or for as long as six months to over a year.

What do group therapy sessions look like?

Some group therapists develop an agenda to help guide members toward their goals. Others prefer to let the group determine the course of each session. Either way, group therapy is rich in dialogue from both the therapist and members. As participants become comfortable enough to be vulnerable and share their stories and thoughts, they form bonds that can support their therapy journeys.

No matter what form group therapy takes, a group usually:

Allows members with similar struggles to interact, helping them feel less isolated.
Offers a structured, supportive setting to discuss experiences and feelings and develop new skills.
Gives participants the chance to learn about themselves via feedback from other members and the therapist.
Includes people at different stages of healing.
Helps members examine and heal from childhood wounds or unhealthy family dynamics.
Encourages members to take responsibility for themselves and their actions.
Fosters an environment of acceptance, solidarity, and mutual support.

Group therapy activities

Group therapy isn’t just limited to talking. Other activities can help participants learn skills and develop bonds together. Therapists may plan sessions around activities like:

Cooking
Painting, writing, or other forms of expressive art
Role-playing
Icebreakers
Games

Benefits of group therapy

Group therapy provides a multitude of benefits, including but not limited to:

Sense of community and common humanity: Group therapy members may feel more connected and less alone in their struggles.

Education and sharing: Group members can bring in ideas and resources to help support each other. It can also feel good to contribute to the growth of others.

Social skills development: The group setting offers a chance to practice social interactions, which may be beneficial for those with difficulties such as social anxiety.

Mutual support: Members can both offer and receive guidance and encouragement, contributing to emotional well-being.

Diverse perspectives: Exposure to different viewpoints can lead to new insights and approaches to personal challenges.

Cost-effectiveness: Group therapy is often more affordable than individual therapy since the cost is shared among participants.

Motivation and accountability: Seeing others’ progress can serve as inspiration and promote a sense of responsibility towards one’s own recovery.

Flexible scheduling: Group therapy sessions can be scheduled with greater flexibility, such as during after-work or after-school hours, which can improve attendance rates.

Disadvantages of group therapy

While there are many advantages to group therapy, it can have drawbacks as well. With more people in the room, some members may be less willing to share about themselves due to concerns about confidentiality. Group leaders usually start the first group talking about the importance of confidentiality to create a safe space for people to share.

Additionally, some members may be more apt to speak up and take up more of the time in group, while others may find talking in front of other people a challenge. Group therapists can help facilitate this to make sure everyone gets equal time.

Is group therapy effective?

Group therapy has been found to be an effective treatment option for a wide range of psychological issues. Research indicates that it’s as effective as individual therapy for many conditions, and has been used effectively for anxiety, depression, grief, eating disorders, and substance use disorders.⁴ It can be particularly efficient because it allows therapists to treat multiple clients simultaneously, which can be beneficial in settings where resources are limited.

How to decide if group therapy is right for you

Deciding whether group therapy is the right choice for you depends on your personal preferences, the nature of your mental health concerns, and your comfort level with sharing in a group setting.

In some cases, individual therapy maybe more appropriate. Individual therapy may be a better choice if:

You have severe or complex mental health issues that require more personalized attention.
You feel uncomfortable sharing personal experiences in a group setting.
You prefer a more private, one-on-one therapeutic relationship.
Your schedule or location makes attending group sessions difficult.

It’s possible you may benefit from a combination of both group and individual therapy, as they can complement each other. If you’re interested in group therapy, visit our therapist directory.

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