What is Group Therapy?

In group therapy, 3-6 people meet face-to-face with a trained group therapist to discuss certain issues. Members are encouraged to share their feelings with the group and provide feedback on the contributions of other members. This interaction gives group members an opportunity to learn more about the way they interact with others and to try out new ways of behaving socially. The therapist ensures that the group environment remains supportive, constructive, safe, and confidential.

Group therapy works because when people come into a group and interact with other members, they usually recreate the difficulties that brought them to group therapy in the first place. Under the direction of the therapist, the group is able to give support, offer alternatives, or gently challenge a group member. This allows a member the opportunity to learn new behaviors and new ways to relate to others. During group therapy, people begin to see that they are not alone and realize that their problems are not unique.

Group therapy has several other advantages over traditional therapy, including:

• Social: Group therapy allows members to enter meaningful and authentic relationships. Group members are free to form friendships outside the context of therapy.
• Therapeutic: Group therapy allows members to receive insight, support and feedback from every member, rather than just the therapist. Further, exploring issues in a real social context accurately reflects real life.
• Financial: The cost of group therapy is less than individual therapy and a sliding scale is still available.

I periodically offer therapy groups for men and women in their 20’s and 30’s who are struggling to navigate the demands of young adulthood. Clients who enter group therapy are highly encouraged to be in individual therapy, with myself or another therapist, so that they can process their group experience. If you feel that you might benefit from group therapy, please contact me for more information on joining a group.