Group Psychotherapy: The Benefits of a Support Group

The idea of joining a support group can be daunting for those who have never experienced individual therapy and for those who are consistent and familiar with individual sessions. The fear of sharing our most vulnerable parts with a group of strangers is a human response to our defenses of rejection and is completely warranted. However, joining a support group can lead to healing as it creates a cohesive therapeutic community. 

First, what does a support group at Be You Psychotherapy look like? A typical group will consist of 4-8 people who are seeking support regarding a specific mental health or physical health struggle. The mission of a support group is to foster community and help those who are feeling isolated in their struggles to feel heard, empowered, and believe they are not alone. There is only so much a friend, family member, or therapist can validate someone’s experience. A support group allows for immense self-disclosure where members feel understood through personal anecdotes. This is created as members gain trust in each other and the group itself. Within an 8 or 10-week program, group members share their own coping skills, personal stories, validate another member’s experience, or simply listen to others’ struggles. 

Benefits of a Support Group include: 

1. Feeling less lonely or judged 

Members typically join group therapy because they feel isolated by their experience. A support group takes a human, relational approach where members can be honest about their symptoms. Through self-disclosure, members realize they can relate to the common emotions of sadness, numbness, pain, frustration, anger, etc., which may usually feel like a burden to friends or family.  

2. Gaining more coping strategies

By sharing experiences about anxiety or depression, the group members can discuss how they all cope with similar issues. Bouncing ideas off one another and sharing what works in their routine is helpful for other members to see the specific efficacy of tools often discussed in individual therapy or the media.

3. Empowerment 

One of the most important benefits of a support group is the empowerment that clients are not a burden. The facilitator and the group members create a shared, trusting space that allows clients to feel empowered to share vulnerable parts of their identity in and outside the group. Once the group shows support and provides feedback, members may feel empowered to share their stories with a family member who does not know they are suffering or have a difficult conversation with a partner. 

4. Improve a client’s understanding of their experience

An essential part of therapy is psychoeducation. Mental health is a complex area in which we often do not understand how we feel or how to help ourselves. A facilitator can explain common symptoms of a diagnosis and help normalize a member's experience. Also, discussing medication management and common symptoms is a great conversation a group may have to see if other members are experiencing similar side effects. 

5. Practicing the skill of talking openly about their struggles 

The most challenging part of group therapy is sharing. Some members share in the latter half of the group, and some members feel comfortable at the start to receive feedback and validation from others. There is no pressure in group therapy to share, but only to openly support each member in their own self-disclosure. Taking on the fear of opening up leads to a lot of freedom. Shame thrives in secrecy. Allowing the group to listen and validate an experience is freeing for members to realize their thoughts and feelings are not “crazy” or “unique.” 

If you are suffering alone in your struggles, please consider joining Transforming Struggle into Strength: A Virtual Support Group for Your Intrusive Thoughts and Inflexible Thinking Support Group that runs every Wednesday night from 7-8 PM regarding issues of anxiety, OCD, depression, life transitions, and stress management. My name is Julia Resnick, and I am available for a free consultation call through our website!