A therapeutic group consists of five to eight people (plus a therapist) committing themselves to attend weekly group sessions. Sessions run for an hour and a half. Participants agree to keep everyone's name and personal information confidential outside of group. At the beginning of each session, group members decide together who will be the focus of group work that session. If time permits, more than one group member may volunteer to work in a session. Although there is focus on one person at a time, everyone participates through listening, asking questions, and contributing support. Sometimes there are opportunities for two or more group members to work together in a session for their mutual benefit. Individuals may always decline to participate in any facet of group that feels uncomfortable.
What Is The Therapist's Role?
Group therapists are trained in group dynamics and process. The therapist encourages emotional safety in the group by guiding and modeling member interactions, questions, etc. In particular, the therapist emphasizes the cultivation of trust, respect, and compassionate honesty among members. In time participants take larger risks revealing their internal thoughts, feelings, and struggles. Inevitably, however, there are disappointments and conflicts between group members. Problems outside of group get experienced within the group dynamic. These struggles are a helpful part of group therapy and allow the therapist to address painful experiences as they happen.
What Are The Benefits of Group Therapy?
Group members experience emotional support, empathic understanding, and authentic encouragement from one another. Committed attendance is itself therapeutic, as members "show up" for themselves and for others. Individuals increase self-confidence through revealing their interior lives. Group therapy is instrumental in healing all emotional and psychological struggles people experience: depression, anxiety, anger, fear, shame, etc. Participants learn to accept support from others. Members feel less alone in the world through understanding other people's lives. Understanding other people's problems, goals, and solutions helps members clarify their own. Attending group gives purpose to members' lives; we develop a sense of responsibility to the group because our participation impacts other group members. And, we can experiment with different roles and ways of being in group that inform, change, and take root in our lives. Group therapy provides opportunities to transcend our life struggles, as we experience them, in the moment.
Financial Benefits
Fees for group therapy are usually much less than for individual therapy. Often about half the cost. Because fees are lower, insurance payments for group therapy may be more generous, depending upon you plan. Please note, however, that insurance reimbursement always requires a mental health diagnosis, no matter what therapeutic modality is utilized. For more information, please consult with your therapist and insurer. Because of this requirement for a mental health diagnosis, many people decide to pay for group therapy out of pocket due to its reduced cost. A Medical Savings Account (MSA) or Cafeteria (pre-taxed) Plan at work may also pay for group therapy without the need for a Mental Health Diagnosis.