According to the CDC, only about 10% of the adult population received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional in 2019 – that amounts to about 25.5 million adults in the United States. The percentage of adults who receive therapy generally decreases with age.
Therapy and counseling come in many different forms and can be utilized to help treat a lot of different conditions, problems, issues, and more. With dozens of different types and subtypes of therapy, they often say there’s a therapy out there designed for everyone – and it might be true!
When most people picture therapy in their heads, they imagine an individual talking to a therapist while laying down on a chaise longue. In reality, individual therapy is just one of the two primary forms of psychotherapy – the second being group therapy. Don’t worry; we’ll explain below!
What is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is any form of psychotherapy that consists of a group of people. Instead of doing one-on-one sessions with the individual, psychotherapists meet with groups of individuals at the same time – allowing them the opportunity to connect with, relate to, and open up to others.
Some of the most common types of group therapy include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy – primarily focuses on changing unhealthy or distorted behaviors, thinking patterns, or emotions
- Interpersonal Group Therapy – primarily focuses on an individual’s interpersonal relationships, social interactions, and overalls support
- Psychoeducational Group Therapy – primarily focuses on educating individuals about their condition and how they can better cope with it
- Skills Development Group Therapy – primarily focuses on improving an individual’s social skills and ability to interact with others
- Support Group Therapy – primarily focuses on providing support for those that need it most, involving others that are going through something
In most cases, group therapy sessions involve a minimum of eight people and usually more than 12. With that said, some group therapy programs include as few as three to four individuals. It all depends on the unique needs of each individual and what’s best for them.
What are the Benefits of Group Therapy?
The primary purpose of group therapy is to teach individuals how to express themselves and discuss their feelings with others – something that many people struggle with, even those that find opening up to a therapist easy. Doing so in front of others is an entirely different story.
Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent benefits of group therapy:
- Gives patients a safe place to express themselves and discuss their thoughts
- Gives patients an opportunity to receive support from those that understand
- Gives patients an opportunity to give support to those in need
- Allows for new perspectives and outlooks on life
- Shows patients they’re not alone in their struggle
- Group therapy is often more affordable than individual, one-on-one therapy
While group talk therapy comes with a wide range of benefits, it’s often just one variable in the grand scheme of the patient’s treatment plan. In fact, many people in group therapy will also receive individual therapy, medication, counseling, and other alternative treatments.
Who is Group Talk Therapy Best For?
Group therapy can be used to treat a number of conditions, problems, issues, and more. It can be useful to children, teenagers, adults, and senior citizens suffering from a number of concerns – though mental health and behavioral problems are usually among the most popular.
Speaking of which, let’s take a look at some of the most common conditions group therapy is used to treat:
- Drug addiction and substance abuse
- ADHD, PTSD, panic disorder, phobias, and other anxiety disorders
- Eating disorders
- Depression
- Chronic pain or illness
- Anger management or chronic stress
- Divorce or domestic violence
- Grief or loss
Group therapy only works for those that are willing to participate. They must be open to sharing their feelings and thoughts with others. Otherwise, the treatment won’t be effective and might damage the experience for the other patients. In this case, alternative methods are necessary.
How to Find Group Therapy Treatment in Indiana
Are you struggling to overcome a drug or substance use disorder? Do you believe you or a loved one would benefit from group therapy sessions with a trained professional? Are you ready to turn your life around? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, contact us right away!
At SEE Purpose Treatment, an Indiana rehab center, we stay dedicated to helping people like you overcome addiction and other mental health conditions. We take into account each individual’s unique needs when creating a treatment plan designed to improve behaviors and normalize thoughts long-term.
From Indiana detox to inpatient treatment and aftercare planning, we ensure our patients have access to all the right tools and resources to ensure a successful road to recovery. Contact us today to learn more!
