The United States is currently facing a mental health crisis. There have been rising rates of depression, anxiety, and many other mental health conditions. However, a limited number of trained and licensed mental health workers exist. This has made accessing treatment difficult, even though the Affordable Health Care Act required healthcare plans to include coverage for mental healthcare.
Talk therapy is an effective means of treating mental health conditions ranging from depression and anxiety to bipolar disorder and PTSD. While individual talk therapy is often the initial expectation (and a valid option), it is not the only option that should be considered. We want to talk about group therapy, how this approach could help solve this crisis, and some other facts you may not know about this approach.
What is Group Therapy?
Different from support groups or AA meetings, group therapy is always led by a licensed mental health professional. It is a safe place where individuals with similar conditions or struggles can gather to address personal, relationship, and societal issues they may be facing.
How Effective is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is as effective as individual therapy and more efficient. A randomized controlled trial published in 2020 reported “Significant reductions in both depression and anxiety scores were found across time, with no significant difference between group and individual therapy outcomes.” In short, group therapy can be just as effective as individual therapy for many conditions. The advantage is that it allows a therapist to help multiple people simultaneously, making it more efficient and potentially more affordable.
Give and Receive Support in Group Sessions
A core strength of group therapy is the sense of community and shared experience. Participants can connect with others facing similar challenges, reducing feelings of isolation and offering validation. This supportive environment can be a powerful source of encouragement and understanding.
Helping Participants Find Their “Voice”
Group therapy provides a safe space to practice communication skills and express yourself openly. By sharing your experiences and listening to others, you can gain confidence in speaking up and advocating for yourself. This can be especially helpful for those struggling with social anxiety or low self-esteem.
Treats A Wide Array of Mental Disorders
A variety of mental health conditions can be effectively treated with group therapy, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are also groups focused on specific issues like anger management, grief, or relationship problems.
Grow Interpersonally with Group Therapy
The very fact that group therapy requires you to be around other people, observing how they interact and communicate, as well as encouraging you to interact with them, can help improve their ability to build and maintain relationships. The skills learned in a group can be applied to relationships outside of the group. This may guide participants to building a larger and stronger support system, rebuilding damaged relationships with loved ones, and finding their voice within.
Experience Group Therapy at Onyx
Our team at Onyx wants to be able to provide the best possible care to each one of our clients. While individual therapy and family therapy are also offered at our facility, group therapy is viewed as an important opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. We encourage all residents to participate in regular group therapy sessions as a part of their recovery plan.
Contact us to learn more about treatment at our Port St. Lucie-based residential mental health treatment center.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30849287
https://www.agpa.org/home/practice-resources/what-is-group-psychotherapy-
Michaela Welk, LMHC
Bunny Berman
Tank
Richard E. LoSardo, MD
Christopher Payne
Bernard Benjamin
Tiffany Bellino