Group Therapy During Addiction Recovery in PA

These days, it almost feels like if you don’t go to therapy you’re in the minority. However, it didn’t always used to be that way. For one reason or another, seeing a therapist had a stigma attached to it because someone might view you as “weak” for seeking help. The reality is, people from all walks of life struggle in one way or another, and therapy is now widely accepted. Data from Statista found that a staggering 55.8 million adults in the United States sought help from a therapist in 2022. It’s a testament to how far we’ve come to treat our mental health, and one such approach, group therapy, can be incredibly beneficial for your life.

In this blog, we’ll define group therapy, explore its effectiveness, the benefits, and if it’s right for you.

What is Group Therapy?

Group therapy, which is a form of psychotherapy, and  involves one or more therapists who work with more than one person at a time. This form of therapy is available at various locations, including hospitals, mental health clinics, private therapeutic practices, and community centers. While group therapy is sometimes utilized as a primary treatment plan, it’s more commonly part of a broader comprehensive approach.

Group therapy often focuses on a specific behavior, topic, or diagnosis, such as depression, substance misuse, anger management, chronic pain, social anxiety, grief, or low self-esteem. Participants will take turns sharing their experiences about that topic, and the therapist will work as a facilitator during the sessions.

There are different types of group therapy, which are categorized by the condition that needs attention and the clinical method that’s used. The most common types of group therapy include the following:

• Cognitive Behavioral Groups: Cognitive behavioral groups center on identifying changing emotional responses, inaccurate or distorted thinking patterns, and behaviors.
• Interpersonal Groups: Interpersonal group therapy focuses on social interactions and interpersonal relationships. This includes the amount of support you have from others and how these relationships impact your overall mental health.
• Support Groups: Support groups provide a broad range of benefits for those with various mental health conditions – it also helps friends or family struggling.
• Psychoeducational Groups: Psychoeducational groups educate clients about their condition and how to cope with it. Its principles are similar to that of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Groups can be any size but most commonly consist of five to 15 people. Open groups accept members to join at any time, whereas closed groups are made up of a specific group of individuals who join at the same time. New participants are encouraged to join open sessions at any time. However, only a core group is allowed to participate in closed sessions. Sessions are held on a weekly basis, with sessions lasting one to two hours at a time.

What are the Benefits of Group Therapy?

You might be wondering – why wouldn’t I just go to a closed, private therapy session? And that’s a fair question. Many of us are reluctant to share our problems with a group of strangers, but what you have to remember is that you’re not alone – others are going through similar issues as you – and that reassurance is a significant benefit. So, what are the other benefits of group therapy?

Different Perspectives

By its very nature, group therapy involves input from multiple perspectives. With different personalities present in the room speaking about their experiences, it’s easier for you to look at issues differently. When you see how others handled these situations, you can incorporate new and useful strategies to handle your own. Since members are at different stages of their journey, it’ll help you come up with a plan when you get there.

Accountability

It’s easy to place blame on others for your problems. For example, it would be easy to blame a friend for giving you alcohol for the first time, which led you down a long, dark road of alcoholism and needing to get help. Although peer pressure isn’t typically seen as positive, with group therapy, it can be. When surrounded by a group of your peers, they’ll provide positive feedback and advice on how you can address this challenge. From there, a feeling of accountability will occur because you want to please and be accepted by the group, helping propel you forward to achieve your goals.

Confidence

Maybe you don’t like what you see in the mirror, or you’re not happy with the path you’re headed down, but no matter what it is, it’ll take a significant toll on your confidence. In group therapy, building camaraderie with a group of peers who are on the same page and that support you can help build you right back up. Knowing that you have others to fall back on is enough to start moving in the right direction.

Confidentiality

Not everyone has people in their lives they can fully trust. For that reason, it makes opening up about your problems quite challenging. Fortunately, one significant benefit of group therapy is that it requires participants to maintain confidentiality outside of the group. This puts all members’ minds at ease, allowing them to share secrets they may not be able to with others. Sometimes, just getting it out of your mind is enough to start making progress.

Who Can Benefit From Group Therapy?

You can also benefit from group therapy if you’re enduring challenging life transitions like divorce, grief, or major career changes. The collective wisdom and empathy offered in group settings can help get you through these difficult times.

If you’re seeking to enhance your social skills or develop healthier relationship patterns, you will find immense value in the supportive environment of group therapy, but regardless of the specific struggle, anyone seeking connection, validation, and personal growth can find a nurturing sanctuary in the embrace of group therapy.

How Effective is Group Therapy?

It’s no secret that the demand for therapy is rising. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), a staggering 77 percent of psychologists reported an increase in patients with anxiety disorders in 2022. Another 64 percent admitted cases in patients seeking help for trauma, which may lead you to wonder, how effective is group therapy?

Group therapy has been found to be quite effective in helping people with various mental health issues. Studies consistently show that it can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, among others. Being in a supportive group setting allows people to share their experiences and learn from each other, which often leads to important insights and changes in behavior. The different perspectives and coping strategies shared in these groups can help individuals feel more resilient and capable of dealing with life’s ups and downs. Overall, group therapy offers a valuable space for healing and personal growth, where people can feel understood and supported on their journey to better mental health.

Is group therapy right for you? Only you can answer that question. However, if you don’t know who to turn to ask – Peace Valley Recovery can help guide you in the right direction.