Question 1

What is group therapy in mental health?

Accepted Answer

Group therapy is a counseling program where the psychiatrist treats a group of clients. The group can have five to 15 patients. Members of the group meet for one or two hours every week. Group therapy aims to promote trust, communication, and personal growth among the participants. Group therapy enables patients to recover within a safe and supportive environment. It gives patients an opportunity to meet and socialize with others who are going through the same challenges.

Most group therapy sessions have three stages of assessment and preparation, initial sessions, and later sessions. The assessment stage involves screening the persons who will be admitted to the group to avoid extreme cases that may lead to dysfunction. Opening sessions involve setting the ground rules and introducing members to each other. Later sessions involve continuity and encouraging support and reflection among the members.

Question 2

Does insurance pay for group therapy?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your insurance plan, but many do cover group therapy. In fact, some insurers encourage group therapy since it tends to be significantly less expensive than individual therapy. Group therapy is covered by managed care programs.

However, most insurers will only cover services if the client has been diagnosed with a mental health condition. You can confirm your coverage by visiting your insurer's website and checking the services covered under your plan or calling the number on the back of your insurance ID card.

Question 3

Is group therapy better than individual therapy?

Accepted Answer

Group therapy offers several benefits that patients cannot get from individual therapy. Groups provide a support network that clients can leverage to improve their mental condition. For instance, group members can relate to their experience with a similar problem and share ideas on how to handle a trying situation. Group members can also help a member achieve important milestones by holding them accountable for following a treatment plan.

Group therapy provides encouragement to patients by helping them realize that there are other people who are dealing with the same problem. Regular communication with group members gives clients new perspectives about their problem. Group therapy helps member overcome isolation and alienation. Groups give participants encouragement and inspiration. It provides individuals at the early stages with role models to copy and learn from throughout their treatment.

Group therapy helps participants improve their communication and social skills. It also helps patients improve their self-awareness. Group members offer each other support and encouragement. Finally, group therapy gives patients a sense of belonging by connecting them with a network of people who identify with their problem.

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of group therapy?

Accepted Answer

Here are some of the disadvantages of group therapy:

Group therapy is not suitable for people with shyness or social anxiety disorders. Such people can be overwhelmed by the attention, especially if they are dealing with trauma.
Group therapy can be less effective if members experience personality clashes. These clashes can be a distraction from the main objective of the program.
It can be extremely difficult to guard confidentiality in a group setting. Even if all participants agree not to share private information, there is always a risk that somebody will violate the pact.
Group sessions can undergo scheduling challenges.
Group therapy reduces intimacy between the client and the therapist by sharing the therapist's attention with other people. This may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
Group therapy encourages social loafing, where some participants ride along without actively participating in the therapy.

Question 5

How long should group therapy last?

Accepted Answer

Group therapy sessions can last anywhere between two months and a whole year. The program may go for 8-10 weeks or more, depending on the goal and purpose of the therapy. Most therapists hold a maximum of two sessions per week. A session may last between 90 and 120 minutes. Typically, short-term groups last between six and 20 weeks and cover concrete issues such as bereavement or stress management. Support therapy groups deal with long-term personality problems or addictions and can last up to a year. There are also open-ended groups where members leave after achieving their goals.

Question 6

What is group therapy used to treat?

Accepted Answer

Group therapy can be used to treat a wide range of mental health problems, including depression, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and even substance abuse. Group therapy may be used to improve the self-esteem and social skills of patients with a wide range of mental health conditions.

Group therapy can be used on grieving patients to help them cope with life transitions and loss. Group therapy can also be used to teach participants important life skills, such as anger management or overcoming social anxiety.

What is group therapy in mental health?

Related questions about group therapy

Life is complicated. Finding a therapist shouldn’t be.

Newsletter signup

Get inspiration straight to your inbox.