The Top Ten Benefits Of Group Counseling

Updated March 30, 2021

Medically Reviewed By: Karen Devlin, LPC

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Counseling in a group is typically a small group of no more than 10 participants, and 1-2 group leaders, usual therapists, engage in a psychosocial form of counseling. Small group settings for counseling are held 1-2 times per week and involves talking and listening to each other's concerns and progress. Participants usually feel open to express their beliefs, thoughts, and emotions without fear of judgment or retaliation.

This type of counseling has proven to be just as effective as individual therapy and even more effective with certain age groups such as teenagers who have an easier time opening up to and taking advice from peers than adults, doctors, or authority figures. If your therapist or psychologist suggests group types of therapy, there are 10 tremendous benefits to this type of counseling you should consider.

10. Support System -Counseling in a group is a wonderful way to support and receive support. Therapists who lead these therapy sessions encourage the participants to learn to lean on each other, share things they are struggling with, and help each other find ways to overcome. Participants can give each other advice and feedback in a way that is positive and uplifting. Support groups are especially helpful for people who are experiencing grief, domestic violence, or trauma.

9. Help Move Forward -One of the things people struggle with is moving forward after suffering a loss or going through something traumatic. Counseling in a group can help people move forward because participants can encourage and support each other. Participants are also more likely to move forward when they know other people in the group are holding them accountable for achieving their goals.

8. Learn Social Skills -Some people struggle with social situations and conversations. People who suffer from anxiety, depression, or other mental disorders may find it especially difficult to exhibit socially acceptable behavior at times. Group settings teach social conversation skills and help patients to develop crucial listening and understanding skills. Some patients who have anti-social disorders or phobias can slowly integrate into group setting therapy as their progress in individual therapy goes on.

7. Cost-Effective -Group setting sessions are significantly cheaper than individual therapy. Although costs will vary from office to office, most mental health care practices can bill for much less during this type of counseling. This is because more participants' insurance can divvy out the cost of the session.

6. Revealing -Many people learn more about themselves in this type of counseling because so many other topics may get brought up with all the varying perspectives in the room. A participant in this counseling type may trigger something you may not think to bring up in individual therapy. Counseling in a group can also help you find your voice, figure out your beliefs and opinions, and what goals you should have for yourself.

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5. Building Healthy Relationships -Not only do group counseling participants learn social skills, but they also develop good, healthy friendships that tend to last and extend outside of therapy. Meeting people you can communicate well with, who may have experienced the same things you have, means that you can build bonds with people you can relate to. Friends participants in this type of counseling are also great listeners, keep private matters private, and let you know when you are making a bad choice or behaving in a way that may be destructive to your progress.

4. Safe Place -Being afraid to express your beliefs and opinions is never healthy for anyone. However, we live in a climate today that makes it hard to communicate all the time with people who may believe differently than you. Group counseling programs ensure that all participants can talk about their individual experiences, opinions, and beliefs without ridicule, retaliation, or disrespect from other group members or therapists.

3. Learning From Peers -Sometimes, it is hard to believe that a therapist can relate to what patients are going through or what they feel. When participants can connect with others to whom they can relate, they are more likely to learn new ways to deal with their problems and be more willing to take advice. Therapists also benefit because they can have an easier time trying to convince someone of a specific strategy if another group member can verify it was indeed worth it or worked for them.

2. Trust in Therapist -Group Counseling helps participants have trust in their therapists. When patients in group counseling can see that the therapist is giving other people the same strategies, telling the same thing to everyone makes the therapist or group leader seem more credible. Some participants may have been in therapy longer and testify to their own experiences with the therapist.

1. Unity -Just knowing there are other people in your community that suffer from the same disorder as you do, who are grieving like you are, who have been through trauma, etc., can be a very powerful tool in recovery and overcoming life's obstacles. Knowing that you are not the only one; you are part of a collective can be very therapeutic for many patients.

Disadvantages of Group Counseling

Counseling in a group can be challenging because opening up to people is hard. Most patients do not know or have already established and trusting relationships with the other group members. For some patients, this makes opening up and showing vulnerability easier, but it can make it much harder for others. There is also a risk of group members clashing or not getting along with each other. Sometimes we may not feel comfortable talking to people with personalities that are much different than our own, and that can be disadvantageous to therapy.

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Group counseling is not typically recommended for people with intense social phobias. Group therapy is also not always recommended for patients who exhibit violent tendencies or do not understand interpersonal relationships.

Individual Counseling Vs. Group Counseling

For some people, individual therapy may be something they are more comfortable with. Often, the first time you are talking about something, it can be easier in a private office setting with a therapist one-on-one. Individual counseling can also be beneficial for people who have a lot to talk about. In an hour-long group setting an appointment, each participant may only speak for a few minutes each. Therapists are also more attentive to your needs and progress during one on one sessions and may be able to give more personalized advice than they could in a group setting an appointment.

Patients may also decide to do group-setting therapy sessions and individual therapy sessions with their doctor. Individual therapy is a safe way to talk privately about what you got out of the group setting or how you felt in that setting. Group therapy helps patients with vulnerability, while individual therapy can help sort through and organize their feelings.

Types of Group Therapy

Group therapy does not always involve sitting in a circle and talking about feelings, although it can! Group therapy is different from office to office, and most practices will offer more than one type of group therapy. Examples of types of group therapies include:

Workshops for specific skill-building
Expressive or creative therapy such as painting, dance, or writing
Yoga or meditation classes
Group outings

Group therapy is especially beneficial for teens because they are more likely to advise a peer than an authority figure. Counseling in a group is also beneficial for people experiencing:

Anxiety disorders
Depression disorders
Relationship or Marital Issues
Grief
Loss
Trauma
Self-esteem
Eating disorders
Lack of Social Skills

There are no risks to group therapy. One thing that patients should know is that they are not required to participate in group therapy. A counselor can recommend group therapy sessions, but it is ultimately the patient's decision if they want to go.

Open and Closed Group Counseling

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Some types of group setting counseling are open forums where anyone in the community can come and go. Meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and other groups allow open discussion and people's ability to come and go as they please. There may be fresh faces there weekly.

A closed group setting counseling is limited to a core group of participants who are the only ones allowed in the therapy session. New participants are usually not added, and when there is a need, another group may be formed. This is to help build bonds and trusting relationships. A psychotherapist usually directs closed therapy, while public groups such as AA and NA may be guided by fellow participants, group leaders, recovered alcoholics, and sponsors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of group counseling?

Psychotherapy Groups:

A psychotherapy group therapy session has all the usual counseling psychology features except that it involves multiple clients receiving therapy simultaneously and from the same professional counselors. Individuals benefit from social interactions; psychotherapy groups meet to believe that social interaction benefits can also positively influence psychotherapy. Group members work together to help each other solve their problems. They do this under the guidance of a therapist, who uses counseling psychology to organize the therapy programs to make progress together.

Cognitive Therapy Groups: This type of group therapy uses the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy to help individuals receive treatment in a group setting. The group members help each other identify and overcome negative cognitive and behavioral patterns using counseling psychology under a licensed therapist's guidance. The group collectively develops tools use to both copes with and overcome their negative patterns.
Mutual Self-Help Groups

This is by far the most well-known type of group therapy. It is popularly used by people experiencing trauma-related mental health problems or substance abuse problems. Mutual self-help groups meet regularly and are usually free, and are open to everyone. A popular example is Alcoholics Anonymous, a therapy group experience used by people currently experiencing alcohol addiction or who have previously experienced alcohol addiction. Members of this group share common goals and experiences and work collectively to help each other recover.

What is the purpose of group counseling?

Group counseling aims to use the benefits commonly gotten from social interaction to increase therapy programs' effectiveness. By bringing individuals who have had similar experiences together in a setting that allows them to work towards a common goal, group counseling aims to provide a safe communal environment for effective treatment. By sharing therapy group sessions with other people, individuals can feel less isolated and more understood. The group experience fosters hope and a sense of community. It also helps individuals who might be struggling to achieve genuine social interaction to find a platform where they can experience therapeutic communication. Also, when a person experiencing difficulties can help another person with a similar condition find catharsis, they progress in their healing process. By encouraging individuals to care for each other, group therapy teaches the individual self-care. This is referred to as interpersonal learning.

What are group counseling and its benefits?

Counseling groups typically involve multiple clients/patients receiving treatment for similar conditions from the same professional counselors(s) and at the same time. Counseling groups usually have a maximum of ten participants with 1 or sometimes 2 therapists. During group sessions, people listen to and speak to each other, expressing thoughts, concerns, and progress. Counseling groups have several benefits, including:

Creating a supportive atmosphere that promotes healing and recovery: the whole point of group therapy is to create a setting where individuals who are experiencing similar situations and conditions can support each other through recovery. Because everyone involved in the group experience can relate to each other’s conditions in one way or another, an atmosphere of empathy and care is immediately created. And each person can count on the other person to at least understand what they are going through, and understanding is a foundational step towards recovery.
Developing Social Skills: one of the reasons people feel socially awkward and isolate themselves is that they don’t feel understood. When people are placed in a setting where everyone around them understands them and empathizes with them, they will open up more. For many people, counseling groups end up being their first proper social group; outside their families, many friendships made during group therapy end up lasting for a very long time.
Affordability: counseling groups are often more affordable than individual therapy. Because there are multiple participants in one session, the professional counselors can afford to charge a lower price.
Diversity: Most individuals who experience one condition or the other are often unable to view their condition from an objective perspective. What this means is that they may have a perspective on their condition that stunts their progress. Exposing such an individual to a counseling group will enable them to see their condition from other perspectives. This can help shed light on their own unique situation and experience.

How does group counseling work?

Counseling group sessions don’t have a fixed structure. However, some common features can be found in most group counseling sessions. For instance, every group counseling session features at least three participants. However, most group counseling sessions will have between 8 and 12 participants. During a group therapy session, the session's group leaders (who are almost always licensed therapists) guide the members through an interactive therapy session, ensuring that all the participants take an active part in the session. These sessions usually occur once or twice every week and can last up to two hours, though most sessions last for an hour.

The group's specific goals will determine the setting, the timing, and the structure of each session. The professional counselors’ personal style will also go a long way in determining the sessions' pattern and structure. So before signing up for group therapy, be sure to find out how each session is conducted and whether that would work for you.

What are the 3 types of counseling?

Psychotherapy Groups:

A psychotherapy group therapy session has all the features of an individual counseling session except that it involves multiple clients receiving therapy simultaneously and from the same professional counselors. Individuals benefit from social interactions; a psychotherapy group operates with the belief that social interaction benefits can positively influence psychotherapy. Members of a psychotherapy group work together to help each other solve their problems. They do this under the guidance of a therapist, who organizes the sessions to make progress together.

Cognitive Therapy Groups: This type of group therapy provides services group counseling using cognitive-behavioral therapy principles to help individuals receive treatment in a group setting. The group members in a cognitive therapy group help each other identify and overcome negative cognitive and behavioral patterns under a licensed therapist's guidance. The group collectively develops tools use to both copes with and overcome their negative patterns.
Mutual Self-Help Groups

This is by far the most well-known type of group therapy. It is popularly used by people experiencing trauma-related mental health problems or substance abuse problems. Mutual self-help groups meet regularly and are usually free, and are open to everyone. A popular example is Alcoholics Anonymous, a therapy group that provides services group counseling used by people currently experiencing alcohol addiction or who have previously experienced alcohol addiction. Members of this group share common goals and experiences and work collectively to help each other recover.

What are the stages in group counseling?

There are four stages of group counseling. These are:

Forming: This is the pre-group stage where the therapy programs' rules and structure will be established and where everyone gets acquainted.
Storming: This is after the pre-group stage, where the group leaders establish themselves as the group leaders of the therapy programs and earn respect and authority.
Norming: This is the stage where the order has been established, and the therapy programs flow as intended.
Performing: This is the stage where results begin to show.

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The Top Ten Benefits Of Group Counseling

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