Our world is getting more complicated, socially and emotionally, so it isn’t surprising that mental health issues are increasingly prevalent, often leading people in two opposite directions: self-isolating or interpersonally “acting out.”  You may have found yourself doing one or both in the last couple of years. Finding meaningful, effective approaches to mental health care is more critical than ever. One often underappreciated but profoundly impactful option for “doing the work” is group therapy. 

Unlike individual therapy, which focuses solely on the personal experience you are having as a single individual (even if this often focuses on relationships), group therapy offers a unique setting where emotional struggles, healing, and deep personal growth occurs collectively in a “living lab” where things are happening right now and between us with the therapist acting as a facilitator and interpreter of these interactions: difficulty with conflict, social fear, barriers to joy, difficulty accepting compliments, sharing painful experiences. 

Group is sometimes jokingly referred to as the “grad school of therapy,” where people go for a way to access their struggles in a more complete way, but is a method that takes time and an ability to manage a sometimes-heated or more stressful environment than usually occurs in one-on-one therapy. When these struggles occur in group, in the here-and-now, the experience has a feeling of immediacy and ‘liveness’ that is harder to find in individual therapy. And the group as a whole becomes the therapist: it can become a very powerful support system, but also a ‘reality check’. 

The Advantages of Group Therapy

Group therapy sessions provide a supportive environment where individuals can come together, sharing their stories and facing similar challenges. Whether dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or any other mental health concerns, group members benefit from hearing how others navigate similar issues. This collective experience can foster a sense of belonging, breaking the isolation that often accompanies mental health struggles.

The advantages of group therapy extend beyond emotional support. Group members gain access to a diverse range of coping skills and practical techniques shared among the participants. This skill-building aspect is invaluable, as each person brings unique insights from their journey, contributing to a shared pool of knowledge. The group setting becomes a place of mutual learning, where members empower each other through their authentic reactions, their empathy, and shared experiences.

Mental health professionals who are specially trained in group psychotherapy facilitate these group therapy sessions, guiding discussions in a way that promotes safety and inclusivity. They help create a supportive network in the room where group members feel understood and valued. This approach to mental health care emphasizes collective healing, recognizing that many people find comfort in knowing others are working through similar difficulties. By providing a space for individuals to connect over shared experiences, group therapy can be a transformative aspect of mental health treatment.

The Healing Power of Shared Experiences

One of the primary benefits of group therapy is the opportunity for individuals to hear stories that resonate with their own. Sharing their stories within a group setting helps members realize that they are not alone in their struggles. This realization is a powerful catalyst for healing and personal growth, as it reduces feelings of isolation and normalizes the experience of facing mental health challenges.

Building Coping Skills in a Supportive Environment

Another key benefit of group therapy is the focus on developing practical coping skills. In a group setting, members learn from each other’s experiences, discovering new ways to approach their own challenges. Whether it’s finding new techniques to manage anxiety or learning how to set healthy boundaries, group members acquire tools they can use in their daily lives. This type of skill building is essential for long-term healing and personal growth.

Additionally, the supportive environment of group therapy helps individuals practice these skills in real time. Role-playing, open discussions, and feedback sessions allow members to test new strategies in a safe, controlled setting. This process of trial and error, guided by a mental health professional, is crucial for building confidence and resilience.

Awareness of Your Interpersonal Patterns and Forming New Ways of Being

The re-enactment of interpersonal patterns of relating, familiar ways of reacting to conflict, and breakdowns in communication, all can be expected to happen in a traditional process group (the typical depth-oriented group therapy practiced at The Colorado Center). Once these familiar forms of being-with-others get repeated, each client has an opportunity to get help with it right in the moment, make discoveries about what led to this way of being, and what is required to shift into new ways of feeling and interacting.   

The Sense of Belonging and Connection

Feeling connected to others is a fundamental human need, and group therapy excels at creating that sense of belonging. Group members often develop deep connections with one another as they work through their challenges together over a long period of time. These enduring connections provide emotional support and validation, both of which are essential for recovery.

This ongoing support can be particularly beneficial for those dealing with chronic mental health issues, as it reinforces that they do not have to face their struggles alone. And even when the time comes for a member to leave, it provides group members with yet another powerful opportunity: noticing how they react to interpersonal loss, grief, pride in another’s growth, disappointment, joy, accomplishment, and all the ways we can feel in the midst of a meaningful goodbye.

Group Therapy vs. Individual Therapy

While individual therapy offers personalized care tailored to the specific needs of one person, group therapy presents distinct advantages that complement one-on-one treatment. Group therapy offers a broader perspective on mental health issues, providing insight into how different individuals cope with similar problems. For many, hearing how others have navigated the challenges they are currently facing can be both inspiring and motivating.

Moreover, group therapy is often more accessible than individual therapy, making it a viable option for those who may face barriers to traditional mental health treatment. Sessions are considerably less expensive, often only about 35-40% of the cost of individual sessions. Having said that, group requires an extra level of commitment: the sessions are weekly, usually for about 90 minutes, and long-term process groups require an ability to ‘protect the group time’ from outside events that might interrupt participation except in very occasional illnesses, vacations, etc. In a group of 6 to 8 people, events that might lead to a cancellation or rescheduling of an individual session with no problem can become unmanageably frequent when done by so many people in a group. The group setting requires commitment, and the safety that it provides can also encourage individuals to step outside of their comfort zones, practice social skills, and build confidence in interacting with others, knowing all are committed to this work together.

Group Therapy: A Holistic Approach to Mental Health Care

Incorporating group therapy into a broader mental health treatment plan can provide comprehensive support for individuals seeking to overcome mental health challenges. Whether it is used alongside individual therapy or as a standalone treatment, group therapy offers unique benefits that contribute to a more holistic approach to mental health care. When used together with group therapy, some people continue working with their separate individual (or couples) therapist, while others may concurrently work in individual sessions with the group therapist. Another approach is to do group therapy as a long term “phase” of one’s personal growth work (e.g., while taking a break from individual therapy). 

Ultimately, the power of group therapy lies in the connections that form within the group. The supportive environment, combined with the guidance of a mental health professional, creates a space where healing and personal growth are possible. By fostering shared experiences, building coping skills, and creating a sense of belonging, group therapy can be a powerful tool for people looking to improve their mental well-being to a level that is beyond what many people consider possible.

Embracing the Benefits of Group Therapy

If you’re struggling with mental health issues and are considering group therapy, it’s important to recognize the unique benefits this approach can offer. Being part of a group setting allows you to connect with others who have faced similar challenges, learn from their experiences, and build the coping skills necessary for healing and personal growth. Through shared experiences and the guidance of a mental health professional, group therapy provides a supportive network that can make all the difference in your journey toward recovery.

Ready to take the first step toward healing and personal growth? Contact the Colorado Center for Clinical Excellence in Denver, CO, today to explore group therapy options near you. The office where we currently are running our groups is in the Denver Tech Center area of Greenwood Village, CO. That office is west of Aurora, east of Englewood and Littleton, and north of Centennial, Lone Tree, and Parker. Think of it this way: As life keeps getting more dysregulated and complicated, our relationships to ourselves and to each other become more difficult. The power of connection, and the ability to be with each other in a healthier way, may be the key to transforming your mental health journey.