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Information About Group
Psychotherapy
from the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA)
• About Group Psychotherapy
• The Group Psychotherapist
• Who Can Benefit
• The Group Therapy Session
• Commonly Asked Questions
Group psychotherapy is a special form of therapy in which a small number of people meet together under the guidance of a professionally trained therapist to help themselves and one another. The therapy has been widely used and has been a standard treatment option for over 50 years.
If you stop and think about it, each of us has been raised in group environments, either through our families, schools, organized activities, or work. These are the environments in which we grow and develop as human beings. Group psychotherapy is no different. It provides a place where you come together with others to share problems or concerns, to better understand your own situation, and to learn from and with each other.
Group therapy helps people improve their interpersonal relationships. It addresses feelings of isolation, depression or anxiety. And it helps people make significant changes so they feel better about the quality of their lives.
Group works! In studies comparing group psychotherapy to individual therapy, group therapy has been shown to be as effective and sometimes even more effective. In cases of medical illness, there is substantial evidence that this form of therapy helps people cope better with their illness, enhances the quality of their lives and, in some cases, such as breast cancer, has even been shown to help people live longer.
If you are considering therapy, together you and your therapist can explore the nature of your problem. You will work to develop a better understanding of the problem and discuss what changes might make the situation better. In addition to group therapy, there are several other options available, including:
• Talking with an individual therapist
• Participating in therapy as a couple or family
• Receiving medication
• A combination of the above treatments
Your therapist can help you understand the benefits of each of these treatment
options and determine what‘s right for you.
Group psychotherapists are mental health professionals trained in one of
several areas: psychiatry, psychology, social work, psychiatric nursing,
marriage and family therapy, pastoral counseling, creative arts therapy or
substance abuse counseling. In considering a therapist for group, make sure he
or she is also qualified to lead group psychotherapy. The National Registry of
Certified Group Psychotherapists certifies group therapists by the designation
"CGP, " which means the therapist has received specialized training
and is experienced in group therapy. Clinical Members of AGPA also have received specialized training.
Like individual therapy, group therapy can benefit almost anyone. Some of the issues typically addressed include:
- Difficulties with interpersonal relationships
- Problems in children and adolescents
(such as the impact of a divorce, peer issues, learning or behavioral problems) - Aging
- Medical illness
- Dealing with loss
- Gay, lesbian and bisexual adults
- Personality disorders
- Addictive disorders
The group therapy session is a collaborative effort in which the therapist
assumes clinical responsibility for the group and its members. In a typical
session, which lasts about 75-90 minutes, members work to express their own
problems, feelings, ideas and reactions as freely and honestly as possible.
Such exploration gives the group the important information needed to understand
and help one another. Members learn not only to understand themselves and their
own issues but also become “therapeutic helpers” for other members.
How does group work?
A group therapist appropriately selects people (usually 5 to 10) who would be
helped by the group experience and who can be learning partners for one
another. In meetings, people are encouraged to talk with each other in a
spontaneous and honest fashion. A professionally trained therapist, who
provides productive examination of the issues or concerns affecting the individuals
and the group, guides the discussion.
Not every group is alike. There are a variety of styles that different groups
use. For instance, some focus more on interpersonal development, where much of
the learning actually comes from the interaction of members themselves. Others
address cognitive behaviors, where the emphasis is on learning how to control
negative thoughts, address phobias or relieve anxiety-inducing situations.
If someone is in a group, do they also need individual therapy?
It depends on the individual. Sometimes group therapy is used as the main or
only treatment approach. Sometimes it’s used along with individual therapy.
Often people find that working simultaneously in both group and individual
therapy stimulates growth in mutually complementary ways. And clients may see
two different therapists for individual and group therapies. In such cases,
it’s generally considered important for the two therapists to communicate with
each other periodically for the client’s benefit. Ask your therapist about the
type of therapy that will best meet your needs.
How is group therapy different from support groups and self-help groups?
Group therapy focuses on interpersonal relationships and helps individuals
learn how to get along better with other people under the guidance of a
professional coach. Group psychotherapy also provides a support network for
specific problems or challenges. The psychotherapy group is different from self-help and support groups in that it not only helps people cope with their
problems, but also provides for change and growth. Self-help groups usually
focus on a particular shared symptom or situation and are usually not led by a
trained therapist. Support groups, which are generally led by professionals,
help people cope with difficult situations at various times but are not geared
toward change.
Why is group therapy useful?
When someone is thinking about joining a group, it’s normal for them to have
questions or concerns. What am I going to get out of this? Will there be enough
time to deal with my own problems in a group setting?
What if I don’t like the people in my group?
Joining a group is useful because it provides opportunities to learn with and
from other people, to understand one’s own patterns of thought and behavior and
those of others, and to perceive how group members react to one another. We
live and interact with people every day and often there are things that other
people are experiencing or grappling with that can be beneficial to share with
others. In group therapy, you learn that perhaps you’re not as different as you
think or that you’re not alone. You’ll meet and interact with people, and the
whole group learns to work on shared problems -- one of the most beneficial
aspects. The more you involve yourself in the group, the more you get out of
it.
What kinds of people should participate in group therapy?
Group therapy can benefit many different people, from those having difficulties
with interpersonal relationships to those dealing with specific problems such
as a serious medical illness, loss, addictive disorders or behavioral problems.
With adolescents, for example, group therapy teaches socialization skills
needed to help function in environments outside the home.
Will there be people with similar problems in my group?
The therapist’s role is to evaluate each member’s problems prior to forming the
group. Usually there is a mix of members who can learn from each other. While
some members will have similar circumstances, it’s not necessary for all
members in the group to be dealing with exactly the same problem.
What kind of commitment do I need to make?
The time commitment depends on the type of group and the nature and extent of
your problems. Short-term groups devoted to concrete issues can last anywhere from
6 to 20 weeks. Support therapy groups (for example, those dealing with a
medical illness such as cancer) may be more long-term. There are also more
open-ended groups in which members work at their own pace and leave when their
particular needs or goals have been met. It’s best to talk with your therapist
to determine the length of time that’s right for you.
What if I'm uncomfortable discussing my problems in front of others?
It’s not unusual to feel uneasy or embarrassed when first joining a group, but
soon you begin to develop feelings of interest and trust. Most clients find
that group therapy provides a great deal of relief because it allows them a
chance to talk with others who are experiencing similar problems -- in a
private, confidential setting. Many people who have experienced group therapy
believe that working together with others is helpful and they feel better by
participating in this form of therapy.
What does group cost?
The cost varies depending on the type of therapist and perhaps even the
geographic area of the country. Typically, group therapy is about half the
price of individual therapy.
Is it covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage is similar for both group and individual therapy. In
addition, most managed care companies cover group much the same as individual
therapy.
How do I find a good group therapist?
When talking with therapists, here are four simple questions you may want to
ask:
- What is your background?
- Given my specific situation, how do you think group would work for me?
- What are your credentials as a group therapist?
- Do you have special training that is relevant to my problem?