What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy brings people together with a trained therapist to work through shared challenges in a supportive setting. Here's a look at how it works and what makes it different from individual therapy.
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a form of therapy in which a small number of people meet together with a trained therapist, rather than one-on-one. Groups are typically organized around a shared theme or concern — for example, grief, anxiety, or a particular life stage — and sessions combine guided conversation with the support that comes from hearing other people's experiences. It's a distinct format from individual therapy, not a replacement for it, and the two are sometimes used together.
How Does a Group Therapy Session Work?
A typical group session is led by a therapist who guides the conversation, keeps the space emotionally safe, and helps members engage with each other constructively. Members share what they're working through, offer perspective to one another, and practice skills like expressing feelings or receiving support in a lower-stakes setting than some other relationships in their life. Confidentiality expectations are set at the outset, and most groups have some structure to keep sessions focused and productive.
What Can Group Therapy Help With?
- Feeling less alone in a specific struggle by hearing that others share it
- Practicing communication or interpersonal skills in a real-time setting
- Getting feedback and perspective from people outside your usual circle
- Building a sense of community around a shared experience
Is Group Therapy Right for Everyone?
Group therapy isn't the right fit for every concern or every person. Some people prefer the privacy of individual sessions, and some concerns are better addressed one-on-one before or instead of a group setting. A therapist can help you think through whether a group format matches what you're looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is group therapy less effective than individual therapy? No — it's a different format, not a lesser one. Research supports group therapy as an effective approach for many concerns, and some people find the shared-experience element uniquely helpful.
Do I have to share personally in every session? Most groups don't require you to share more than feels comfortable, especially early on. A good group therapist paces this with the group.
Can I do group therapy alongside individual therapy? Yes, many people combine both, using individual sessions for personal depth and group sessions for shared support and perspective.
If you'd like to talk through whether a group or individual format might fit what you're looking for, you can contact us with questions.