Therapy Groups: Do You Need One?

If you’re already in therapy, are therapy groups necessary? You may already have a counselor, whether it’s for everyday life processing or something specific, such as trauma, an anxiety disorder, depression, or addiction.

Here we explain what therapy groups are, how to know if one would benefit you, and what to expect.

What are therapy groups?

Therapy groups help a person heal in a group setting, and they are led by at least one professionally licensed mental health therapist. They can address a specific concern, help people find solace and move forward, and provide a wider perspective than one-on-one therapy alone.

A therapy group is designed to be guided by a therapist who may ask questions, pose topics for conversation, and offer tips and teaching as part of the group session. Group sessions generally meet weekly for an hour or so each time.

Some groups last for a specific period, such as four to six months, and others are open-ended where you can drop in and out when you need the support and have the time. However, for a group to supplement targeted therapy, attending regularly is best.

What kinds of therapy groups are there?

There are several types of therapy groups. They can range from dealing with a specific life event – such as grief groups for the loss of a child or divorce care groups for those dealing with the demise of a marriage – to groups that target specific mental health issues.

You could be part of a group recovering from disordered eating, an addiction recovery group, or a social anxiety group. Our centers have groups to help you with all kinds of processing.

What should I expect from a group?

While joining a group can be nerve-wracking, it’s also a terrific way to remember that you are not alone in your healing journey. You can always expect a certified, professional counselor to be with the group and to manage the conversation as needed.

When you arrive, you’ll usually have a few minutes to introduce yourself along with the other group members. The counselor may ask a question that he or she wants each person to answer as a means of introduction.

For example, she may ask you to provide your name and career or tell a little about your family or hobbies. Usually, the questions of introduction are simple; something just about anyone could answer having never attended a group before.

Your first visit may be more observation than anything, especially if the group is continuing a previous week’s discussion. But the counselor will either fill you in or ask a group member to summarize what they’re talking about if it’s continued from before.

If they are not talking about a specific scenario, they may be going around the circle to share their stories. Groups usually consist of 5 to 15 members. You won’t be expected to share your story on a first-time visit.

Everything shared in a group counseling session is confidential, and the counselor will have everyone sign paperwork to remind them the information isn’t to be shared outside the group. Without a trust foundation, therapy groups don’t work because it’s hard to be vulnerable with a group when you aren’t sure if your information will be kept private.

Depending on what the group is for, stories may not be the only thing that is shared. A group member may have a question, a situation that came up that they’d like to discuss with the group, or there may be a scenario to role-play. This is especially true of skill-based groups, such as groups learning about social interactions and overcoming specific health issues.

Are therapy groups right for you?

If you are still wondering if you’d benefit from a therapy group, ask yourself if:

• Your struggle impacts your relational or social skills.
• Your mental health issue dominates the social aspect of your everyday life and experience.
• You tend to be “a thinker” who does not process aloud with others well.
• You want to work through an issue where the primary focus is self, and you’d like to learn more about listening with empathy.
• You approach your mental health issues through the lens of being a lifelong learner.
• You feel you lack specific skills or mindsets that would help you overcome some of the effects of your mental health struggle.
• You just want someone who understands and supports you without expectations or judgment.

If you want to overcome your mental health struggle with others who are encouraging and know how to ask thoughtful questions at peak times in your journey, therapy groups in Stone Oak, Texas may be beneficial. You can also speak to your counselor in Stone Oak to see if he or she recommends a therapy group for your situation.

Reach out to us at Stone Oak Christian Counseling today to find out which therapy groups in Texas are near you.