Family Therapy v/s Group Therapy

Family Therapy 

Family therapy encompasses the counseling given to an entire family and focuses on problems that the family faces as a whole unit and ones that affect the entire family, as well as problems that affect family members as individuals that cause problems within the family. Family counseling operates on the ideology that a family works as one big unit and each family member plays a very important, vital role in the dynamic of the family. The primary motive of family counseling is to resolve conflicts within the family and make family members more aware of the dynamics within the family as well as the pain points that cause power struggles, stress and problems within the family. 

Group Therapy 

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves a larger group of people than a family and is led by trained therapists or counselors. Group therapy sessions are held on a weekly basis and specifically target individual struggles and problems that are independent from factors in their life that may be causing it. This is one of the major differences between family therapy or group therapy. Group therapy focuses on a specific struggle or a problem that an individual may face such as grief following the loss of a loved one, substance abuse, anxiety problems, eating disorders, mood disorders etc. Group counseling is extremely helpful in developing healthy and effective social skills, developing a sense of empathy and relatability towards others and motivating others. Group counseling also helps an individual to feel accepted, understood and motivated to achieve their goals and boosts an individual's self-esteem. 

Similarities Between Group Therapy & Family Therapy 

Surprisingly, there are quite a few similarities between family therapy and group therapy. Both types of therapy – family therapy and group therapy – are curated and designed to treat an individual’s problems while working in coordination with a group as well. In family therapy, an individual’s problems are addressed in the presence of their family and in group therapy an individual’s problems are addressed in the presence of other members of the group. This is especially helpful to treat multiple people at the same time. In both these types of therapy, all individuals participating in therapy are encouraged to freely express themselves by talking about how they feel and letting their emotions flow without the fear of judgement. Individuals are also encouraged to learn how other people perceive them and accept the encouragement and support that is given to them as well as reciprocate it to others who are part of the sessions. 

Differences Between Group Therapy & Family Therapy 

There are several differences between family therapy/couple therapy and group counseling. In family therapy/couple therapy, the counselor tries to bring the family unit together and make it stronger and more cohesive whereas in group therapy, the therapist tries to bring together individuals who are strangers to one another. The level of familiarity to the other members present differs. Family therapy is most often led by a licensed therapist and at a therapist’s office whereas group therapy can be led by a trained counselor and at various different locations like community centers, churches or counseling program centers.