Benefits of Group Therapy and Counseling

Therapy is an extremely misunderstood topic. People don’t realize the potential it holds when it comes to affecting people’s lives and boosting their happiness quotient. Since awareness levels are already so low, it would be a stretch to expect the average person to understand the concept of group therapy and group counseling. Let’s explore the concept of group therapy in greater detail

Often employed by marriage and family therapists, group therapy is a great way of getting everyone on the same page. There are primarily two kinds of group therapy. The first kind involves a group session with a bunch of people who may be going through the same issue as you. For instance, if you are in therapy for depression, your group therapy session will involve a bunch of other people suffering from depression and you will have a group session together with a therapist or counsellor. On the other hand, group therapy could also involve seeking therapy as a group, as is the case with family therapy. Here, the entire family attends therapy and tries to improve themselves as a group. The therapist works closely with the entire family and encourages each member of the family to talk about their issues. The therapist will then dive deeper into their problems and will help them understand the core issues behind their conflicts.

Ultimately, the goal of this kind of group therapy is to help individuals open up and talk about their issues. The aim is also to normalize their problems and make them feel safe and accepted. In the case of support groups, participants leave feeling less isolated and alienated. On the other hand, family therapy actually helps families improve their communication skills and rebuild their bonds for a happier family life.