A Brief Intro to Group Therapy

Starting the therapy process can be an intimidating task, especially if you’re thinking of starting group therapy. Knowing where to start and what types of groups are available can help make the process easier, and it can help you decide which groups are best for you.

Group Therapy Basics

Group therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on making progress through processing with others, with a therapist, or therapists, present. Groups can vary in size depending on the type of group it is but might include 6-15 people. These sessions are similar to individual therapy, as they meet weekly/bi-weekly for 1-1.5 hours. 

When searching for a group, it's important to know what types of groups exist and to make sure it fits what you are looking for the best. At the base level, there are two main types of group enrollment:

Open Group:  In an open group, you can join and leave at any time. The group members may change, while the number of members will stay consistent. Open groups also have a flexible end point in that you get to decide when you’ve gotten what you need from the group.

Closed Group: Closed groups have the same members throughout their meetings and usually join at the same time. Closed groups also have a concrete start and end time. 

Types of Group Therapy

While there are two main types of group membership, there are a lot of different styles and approaches to group therapy. Here are some of the most common types, and what you might see in one of those groups.

Process Group: This group is what most people think of when they hear “group therapy.” Process groups focus on interactions with others in the group and exploring these relational patterns. The therapist will take a role of guiding the group through discussions, but it will mainly be led by the members. 

Skill Building Groups: Skill building groups can focus on many different skills ranging from communication to coping skills. Skills groups can be both closed, with a structure building upon what was discussed in weeks past, or open with a constantly rotating schedule based on what the members want to build on. The therapist will focus on explaining, showing, and guiding practice with the skills learned. 

Psychoeducation Group: A psychoeducation group is one that focuses on learning about different ways certain mental conditions may show up and different ways to manage. Members in this group may either be experiencing the same or similar conditions. In a psychoeducation group, the therapist takes an interactive approach to help learn skills and understand different theories surrounding their experience.  

There are many different places where you can find groups to join, such as Psychology Today, looking up different group practices, or even looking at what is offered here at CFT! If you are interested in joining any of our groups, head over to the “Groups” tab to see what we’re offering.