Good Healthcare Requires Treatment of Your Mind, Body, and Soul

How Group Therapy Works And How It Can Help You

5 July 2022 by Hugh Larson

If you're struggling with school, work, or life in general, consider going into therapy. You may be surprised at how talking about your issues helps you see them from a different perspective so you can find solutions for your problems.

You may prefer group therapy if you and your therapist agree that it's suitable for you. Group therapy is just as effective, and even sometimes more effective than one-on-one therapy depending on the situation. Here's how group therapy might work and how it could benefit you.

How Group Therapy Could Work For You 

Each counselor has their own guidelines for their groups, so they will explain how group therapy works when you're being evaluated for suitability. Therapy usually has a set start date, meeting day, and ending date. You'll be expected to commit to the entire session so people aren't coming and going during the length of therapy.

You may be discouraged from being in the same group with a friend or from making friends with others in the group until your sessions are over. This allows everyone to be more open and not worry as much about what others think. Confidentiality is essential when you're in a group. Everyone needs to feel safe to talk about the things that bother them, and they need to know you won't repeat anything they say.

How Group Therapy Could Benefit You

Being in a group gives you access to other people with different experiences and opinions than you. That can be helpful when you're dealing with problems because you can explore other points of view. When you see how others view your problem, you may realize your problem isn't as bad as it seems. Plus, you'll see how other people deal with similar problems so you gain ideas on what to do about yours.

The group is led by a counselor who keeps things on track and who encourages you to say what's on your mind. While you'll gain benefit by listening to others, you'll get the most from a group session by talking about your own problems.

Being in a group setting also helps you develop better communication skills. This might carry over into your daily life so you get better at letting people know what you need at home or at work. You may be cautious about joining a group at first, especially if you're shy, but the encouragement you get from others with similar problems can be enough to help you develop self-confidence and a renewed ability to handle your problems.

If you find you still have lingering issues when your therapy has ended, you may be able to extend your sessions with the same group or move to a newly formed group and continue with your therapy.

If you want to try a new form of therapy, consider a treatment like group therapy. 

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