Does Group Therapy Really Work?
When people talk about counselling, what often comes to their mind is a picture of a person talking to a therapist in a private environment – just the two of them. Whilst individual counselling is the most common form of psychotherapy, group therapy has been existing for decades, helping people deal with various mental health problems, from anxiety disorder to depression, pain, anger, personal growth, addiction, and so much more.
Many people ask – does group therapy really work? Before we tackle this issue, let us first define what group therapy is. Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves one or more people working with several individuals at the same time. This type of therapy is not new. In fact, it is widely available in mental health clinics, hospitals, churches, rehabilitation centres, community centres, and private therapeutic practices. In most cases, group therapy is combined with individual counselling to create a comprehensive treatment plan for the patients.
Contrary to the popular view, group therapy is for everyone. Humans are social beings. Therefore, interacting with others is deep-rooted in our blood and hardwired in our brain. Think about it – everyone belongs to a group – family, social network, organisation, workplace, etc. Even though people in a group therapy do not personally know each other, they share a common interest, trait, or concern which binds them together.
How does group therapy differ from individual therapy?
There are plenty of differences. First, group therapy is one step closer to real life situation than individual therapy. That’s according to a certified group therapist and President of the Group Psychotherapy Association of Los Angeles (GPALA). In this kind of therapy, patients are able to communicate with real people who are going through the same situation they are in, not only with a mental health professional. They can freely share their sentiments and be certain that someone understands and can relate to them. Group members can also learn from each other as it provides an emotionally rich environment where people can tolerate and express strong emotions. In a 2001 study published in the journal Clinical Psychology, researchers found that group therapy can be an effective treatment choice for depression. In another research reported in the International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, this kind of treatment has been found to be effective in addressing traumatic stress issues as well.
Group therapy is also cost-effective. Instead of the therapist focusing on one client at a time, he or she can work with a larger group of people. The therapist can also observe how patients deal, behave and respond with others, which in turn, helps him or her create valuable feedback to each client.
Even if patients undergo therapy at the same time with the others, the rule of confidentiality is not hampered within a group. Most groups have a set of guidelines that each member should respect. In some groups, therapists do not allow patients to share any personal or identifying information about the other members. They can also share experiences about themselves.
Joining a Therapy Group
Prior the first session, the therapist will conduct individual counselling to determine whether patients are appropriate for a certain group. The therapist will also discuss how the treatment will go to prepare the client for the therapy. During group sessions, patients are asked to track or take note of their feelings, thoughts and reactions to what is happening within the group, or towards other members. Group leaders seldom introduce topics but help the members form trust and openly share with others.
Group therapy is indeed an effective therapy. If it isn’t, why do many psychotherapists use it in the first place? Just like individual therapy, group therapy has benefits that are unique to it. In a group therapy, one can learn and grow in ways that their original group (which is their family) was unable to do. At the same time, it helps people get better at communicating with others and expressing their emotions.
What are the other benefits of using group therapy? Feel free to post your comment below.
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