5 benefits of group therapy for mental health

This alternative to a 1-on-1 session with your therapist has some advantages.

If you’ve ever seen a mental health professional — whether it be in person or via telehealth — you may have heard them refer to your session as “talk therapy.”

Also called “psychotherapy,” talk therapy is just another way to describe that meeting. During it, you might discuss things like your thoughts, feelings and behaviors, with the goal to improve your mental health with the mental health professional’s guidance.

The most common meeting would be individual therapy, or meeting 1-on-1 with a therapist.

But depending on your situation, group therapy could also be an option. “Groups are just as effective,” says Jerrold Lee Shapiro, PhD, professor of counseling psychology at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California. He’s also the coauthor of Basics of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy.

Let’s talk about what group therapy for mental health is, its benefits and whether it’s right for you.

Thinking about getting in touch with a mental health professional? Call a licensed insurance agent at (800) 827-9990 to talk about plans, or browse your options online today.

What is group therapy?

In group therapy, multiple patients attend a therapy session, typically to address a shared mental health concern. That could include:

• Addiction to substances, like alcohol or drugs
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief

“You’re setting up treatment for several people at the same time,” Shapiro says. “Normally, groups will have somewhere between 6 and 14 clients and 1 or 2 therapists.”

Just like individual therapy, group therapy helps you identify unhealthy patterns and make changes to improve your mental health, providing opportunities for change and growth.

You may come across 2 types of group therapy sessions:

• Open groups. These are ongoing. Members come and go based on their needs. “The advantage of those groups is it’s more like real life,” says Shapiro. “People come into our lives; they leave our lives.”
• Closed groups. These have a set time frame, such as 10 to 12 weeks. “Those groups start and end together,” Shapiro says. You get to know the people in the group, and you get better as a group, too.

What are the benefits of group therapy?

Group therapy sessions can be better than 1-on-1 sessions with a therapist for a number of reasons. These could include:

Benefit #1. They may be more affordable. Group therapy is typically less expensive than a 1-on-1 session with a therapist. “Clients will pay a lot less for a group session than an individual session,” Shapiro says. Health insurance typically covers group therapy for mental health conditions.

Benefit #2. They offer real-life advice. Because it’s not just you in the session, you’ll hear from others, too. And group members can share valuable insights. “You get a chance to get feedback from real-life people, not just therapists,” Shapiro says. “They’re coming from their heart. They’re not coming from a professional place. You need both, and you get both.”

Benefit #3. They provide perspective. One of the most powerful benefits of group therapy is what’s called “universality,” says Shapiro. “If you’re a member of a group, you start to realize that the issues you’re dealing with are not unique to you,” he explains. “You also get a sense that your problems aren’t as deep or as awful, because there are other people who suffer in the same way.”

Benefit #4. They provide social support. Group members can provide you with support, for example, through empathy and understanding. “Maybe you reveal how you reacted in a certain situation, and someone else in the group turns to you and says, ‘I hate it when that happens,’” Shapiro says. “All of a sudden it feels like, ‘Someone understands me. They get it.’ And then a conversation can be at a much deeper level.”

Benefit #5. They can help improve your relationship skills. In group therapy, you interact with others, which means there’s a built-in opportunity to focus on relationships. Part of the therapist’s role is to guide the group in a way that helps you all learn skills to get along better with other people.

A mental health therapist could help you talk through your issues. Call a licensed insurance agent at (800) 827-9990 to talk about plans, or browse your options online today.

How do you find a therapy group?

If you’re interested in group therapy, Shapiro offers the following tips:

Tip #1. Word of mouth and recommendations from health care professionals can be good places to start finding a therapy group.

Tip #2. A mental health professional and leader trained in group therapy is essential. “You want someone who’s licensed and has group training,” he emphasizes. The American Group Psychotherapy Association has a directory of professionals certified by the International Board for Certification of Group Psychotherapists.

Tip #3. You’ll want to seek out a group that has an application process. “You don’t just join a group,” he says. “You apply for a group.” The leader will evaluate whether you’re a good fit for the group. You’ll then want to determine with them whether the group is a good fit for you.

Tip #4. You’ll also want to meet with the group leader privately. “You really want to know something about what their approach is, how they operate and what their training is,” Shapiro says.

Tip #5. Compare your options. “You may need to shop around a little bit to see where the chemistry is, both with the group therapists and with the other members of the group,” he says.

Tip #6. Try it out for yourself. “The best reassurance is when practitioners say, ‘Come a couple of times and see if it works for you,’” Shapiro says.

When you’re evaluating therapists, the American Group Psychotherapy Association recommends you ask the following questions:

• Do you have special training that is relevant to my specific situation?
• Given my issue, how do you think a group would work for me?
• What are your credentials as a group therapist?
• What is your background?

Can I do virtual group therapy?

While group therapy has traditionally taken place in person, some groups now meet virtually, via a telehealth appointment. That’s typically a type of video session you do online, using your smartphone, tablet or computer, with a mental health therapist.

Joining an online group offers a few additional advantages. If you have mobility issues, or lack the transportation to get to a session, it could be a convenient alternative. Also, if you live in a rural area that doesn’t offer many places for an in-person group meeting, a virtual option could be great.

Still need more information about mental health therapy? Call a licensed insurance agent at (800) 827-9990 to talk about plans, or browse your options online today.

Disclaimer:
For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.