What is Group Therapy?

I recently shared about the upcoming launch of my new Women’s Existential Process Group. This is a group for young professional women navigating their quarter-life journey. It will have an emphasis on existential concerns, relationships/attachment work, and strengthening one’s sense of self.

Many people aren’t really aware of group therapy, or when they hear about a process group, they are wondering, what actually is group therapy? And what would the benefit be of doing group therapy over individual therapy (or even supplementing individual therapy with group therapy)?

I’ll provide some insight into what you might expect from a process group (I’ll use the terms group therapy and process group interchangeably), and whether or not group therapy would be a good fit for you.

If you are considering starting group therapy, I do recommend finding a process group that fits what you are looking for. For example, if you are a woman navigating quarter-life and relationship issues, my process group might be a great fit for you. Narrowing down the type of support you need will help you determine what group will best suit your needs.

When considering group therapy, it also helps to have some previous experience with individual therapy. That way, the language and concepts talked about in the group aren’t completely foreign to you. It’s actually a pre-requisite to joining my process group for participants to have at least some experience in individual therapy. You don’t need to actively be in individual therapy to benefit from a process group, but a process group can be a great supplement to individual therapy.

Group is a Social Microcosm

Something to keep in mind is that therapists consider group to be a “social microcosm” of the outside world. What this means is that how you show up in group is representative of how you show up outside of group. If you struggle with people-pleasing or asking for what you need with your friends and family, that behavior will inevitably present itself in the group setting. This allows you to practice how you want to show up differently in the outside world with the group members, kind of like an experiment. There is less risk in a group setting because it is a safe space led by a therapist. If any ruptures or miscommunications occur, the therapist will help guide the group and model what effective and healthy repair looks like.

Benefits of Group Therapy

Strengthen Interpersonal Skills

One of the benefits to group therapy is strengthening relationship skills including learning how to communicate assertively, set boundaries, voice your needs, practice vulnerability with others, etc. Group therapy is an opportunity for you to practice all of this in real time. In individual therapy, you might talk about all of the communication tools that you plan on implementing into your life, but in a group setting, you’re practicing that work in the here and now with other group members. As you practice showing up in a different way, you’ll likely receive feedback or guidance from the therapist or other group members.

Experience a deep sense of belonging with others

Another benefit to a process group is being able to decrease feelings of isolation and experience a sense of belonging with others who are navigating similar life circumstances. Most of us experience episodes of loneliness from time to time, and we know that connection with others is so important to our mental health. Group therapy is an opportunity to connect with others in a meaningful way through shared experiences.

Strengthen Your Sense of self

Group therapy helps you understand yourself on a deeper level, especially in the context of relationships. When we have been negatively impacted by relationships in the past, we might have wounds that are activated in the present day. Relational wounds from the past can impact our sense of self and how we interact with others. Group therapy is a space where you can experience corrective, healing relationships with others. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of yourself through connection with others, and you’ll receive support and feedback from other group members. This can strengthen your sense of self through gained self-awareness and a greater understanding of your relational patterns.

Universality

Our deepest form of suffering can stem from feeling like we are alone in it. When we’re isolated in our suffering, we hold the belief that no one can possibly understand what we are going through. A process group provides the opportunity for genuine connections and the comfort of knowing that others can relate to what you are going through. It is a space that serves as a reminder of common humanity - that you are never truly alone in what you are experiencing. This can also instill hope as you hear about how others have navigated similar (or are currently navigating) struggles that you are currently going through.

Altruism

Being a part of a process group can give members a strong sense of purpose as they are given the opportunity to help and care for others in the group. Group members help each other by sharing common experiences, helping others feel less alone, and providing empathy and compassion to each other. Through altruism, group members feel a strong sense of meaning and fulfillment in their own lives.

Cost Effective

Last but not least, let’s not overlook how much more cost effective group therapy can be than individual therapy. If you compare what a therapist charges for individual therapy vs. what they charge for a group session, you’ll likely find that group therapy can be much less expensive, making long-term mental health care more accessible through the use of group therapy.

If you are curious about group therapy but hesitant to the idea of it, I encourage you to explore the parts of you that feel resistant. It is completely normal to feel a bit skeptical about something that is so different than what we are used to. The idea of opening up to a group of strangers can also be intimidating! But group therapy is such a powerful and enriching way to heal and grow. Anything that is new and uncomfortable can stir up some feelings in us, and I encourage you to reflect on the idea that if fear wasn’t guiding your decision, could this be something that could truly benefit your life?

Interested in individual or group therapy?

If you are looking for online therapy in Houston or anywhere throughout Texas or Florida, feel free to explore my website to see if we might be a good fit to work together. My approach is grounded in humanistic and existential philosophy, and I work with young professional women navigating anxiety, relationships, and quarter-life. If you would like more information or to inquire about my women’s existential process group, you can read more here.