For many people, the decision to start therapy is one of the most personal choices they can make – so doesn’t group therapy defeat the purpose? If therapy is supposed to be a confidential space to talk about your most intimate worries, thoughts, and experiences, then what’s the point of going if you’re in a room full of other people?

The answer depends on your goals. Here are a few reasons why you might want to give group therapy a shot.

Group Settings Allow You to Work on Your Relationship

At a time when so many of us feel disconnected, anxious, and are struggling to regain our interpersonal skills; group therapy can be an excellent tool to process a shared experience (like living through a global pandemic). Group therapy appointments can be scheduled with friends or family members joining with your treatment team, so that your therapist can mediate the conversation. This is a great option for families who don’t usually see eye-to-eye. Your therapist will be able to help you practice active listening so the conversation doesn’t dissolve into a screaming match.

You’ll Hear a Range of Perspectives

Group therapy is a better way to get different perspectives on your problems than those from your untrained friends. Your group members might help you identify patterns in your own behavior, or they can offer solutions you wouldn’t have thought of before. Hearing other people’s stories might also help you to have “lightbulb moments” about your own experiences as you learn from their successes and mistakes.

Group Therapy Can Help You Embrace Vulnerability

The goal of group therapy is to create an environment where everyone feels safe, not to put people in the “hot seat.” Having people with similar situations welcome you, reassure you that you’re not alone, and validate your experiences might help you feel comfortable enough to let down your guard. When you allow yourself to open up about your feeling, that’s when healing can start to take place.

At Jamison Consultants, we’re committed to providing our patients with therapeutic and behavioral health services that will make a lasting difference in their lives – and offer options for individual, group and family therapy. Our licensed therapists and counselors are equipped to care for patients with a variety of mental health diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, stress management issues and a wide range of mental health issues. Learn more about our behavioral health services here.