Part of living a healthy life filled with joy and happiness is having people who can be relied upon during moments of struggle. To anyone who has ever felt alone or isolated, it’s not hard to imagine the alleviation that might have come from having company in those dark times. This is true in life, but it can also be true in therapy. Individual therapy can be scary for some, especially considering the growing online virtual appointments trend.
Group therapy is a form of therapy that includes one or more therapists and multiple patients. Group therapy treats many of the same conditions that individual therapy does. The primary difference is in the methodology and contents of each session. Patients can relate to one another’s experiences and build on the knowledge and perspectives of other members. In addition to providing alternative views, a group therapy program is inherently social, allowing support group members to create bonds and grow together as they progress toward recovery.
What Does Group Counseling for Addiction Look Like?
Sitting one-on-one with a therapist can be uncomfortable for some, especially those with trouble being vulnerable and opening up. This may be because they have or hard time sharing their feelings or because they have never had the opportunity to communicate their emotions in this way. Group therapy provides a more social alternative that supplies patients with a safe space and like-minded piers. Having someone with similar issues to talk to can make a world of difference when suffering from addiction.
Addiction is often accompanied by shame and guilt, and these feelings can prove incredibly isolating when there’s no one to relate to. Multiple studies have shown that group therapy is as effective as individual therapy when treating substance use disorders and does so at a lower cost than individual therapy. This allows patients to receive more treatment while spending less than they conventionally would, progressing toward recovery and building bonds with other group members.
What Are the Benefits of Addiction Group Therapy?
Therapy isn’t always easy for those who are new to treatment. Speaking about one’s own problems can seem uncomfortable to those not used to expressing themselves in that way. Group therapy is a great way to ease oneself into the process, allowing patients to share the spotlight rather than have it shone solely on them. In addition to easing people into the practice of therapy, other benefits include the following:
- Feedback from multiple perspectives – Getting advice from a therapist can make a great deal of difference to those who need it, but sometimes hearing it from one person isn’t enough. Group therapy sessions include the perspective of all members, creating a more comprehensive range of feedback.
- Incorporate new skills – Group therapy allows members to actively test and try out new skills and coping mechanisms in real-time, allowing for extra practice before they’re incorporated into daily life.
- Enhances perspective of therapist – Group therapy allows the therapist to see how their patients interact in a group setting. This gives the therapist an improved view of patients’ progress, allowing them to form better and adjust treatment plans.
- Increased socialization – In group therapy, patients are surrounded by like-minded individuals with similar issues who are also determined to improve. When living with addiction, shame, guilt, and the tendency to socially isolate oneself are not uncommon. In group therapy, patients are encouraged to accept that they are not alone and that help is never far away.
Support groups come in many different shapes and sizes and can contain many benefits and additional resources that can be called upon during times of stress.
Learn More About Support Groups at Insight Recovery
At Insight Recovery, we provide over 30 types of therapy, treating a wide range of issues through evidence-based methods practiced by a staff of passionate, dedicated professionals. For more information on support groups and other forms of addiction treatment, contact us today at 828.826.1376 to schedule an appointment, or reach out online.