The Surprising Power of Group Therapy: Connection, Skills, and Recovery

Group therapy is a well-established and effective form of mental health treatment; yet it is sometimes misunderstood.  

And if the thought of sharing your struggles with strangers makes you anxious, you're not alone. Nearly everyone feels this way before their first group therapy session. But here's what research, and thousands of people who've been through it, consistently show: group therapy works just as well as individual treatment, and most people are genuinely glad they tried it.

Group therapy uses the same evidence-based techniques as individual therapy – but in a setting where eight to 10 people learn and practice the skills together with two trained therapists.  

"These are treatments that work with clients to identify psychological processes that are keeping them stuck and provide them with skills to overcome these processes," says Dr. Jeff Bailey, a clinical psychologist with the Mental Health and Addictions Program (MHAP). "Although clients will have an opportunity to share, the sessions focus on learning to understand their difficulties, develop skills, and assist each other in practising and generalising these skills in and outside the group space."

Decades of research demonstrate that group therapy is as effective as individual treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In group therapy, clients  learn the same proven strategies and coping skills—often with the added benefit of getting help sooner in that group therapy is frequently available faster than individual therapy.

Beyond learning skills, group therapy offers something individual treatment cannot - the realization that you're not alone.

“When coming into treatment, people often feel like they are the only ones struggling in this way,” says Dr. Jenna Whitney, another MHAP clinical psychologist. “In group therapy, people realize that others are experiencing similar challenges. It helps reduce the sense of isolation and stigma that is oftenassociated with seeking help for mental health difficulties.”

Group members encourage one another in and between sessions, gain perspective from people who truly understand what they're going through, and often develop lasting support networks. This combination of professional guidance and peer support creates a uniquely powerful healing environment.

It's completely normal to feel uncertain about group therapy. "Talking about your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours is difficult to do with a trained therapist, and doing it alongside a group of strangers would feel daunting to anyone," Bailey acknowledges. "It is completely normal and understandable to feel unsure."

Whitney recalls delivering group treatments for people with PTSD, many of whom found it particularly difficult to trust others due to traumatic experiences they'd endured.

"I recall clients' hesitation to talk initially in such groups," she says. "Throughout therapy, however, you hear clients encouraging and validating each other, and by the end of therapy, congratulating each other on the courageous steps they have taken and successes they have experienced over the course of treatment."

Bailey's experience has been similar: "Indeed, in the final sessions, clients often reflect on how anxious they were during the first session but how much they look forward to group now."

At Nova Scotia Health, group therapy is often the first treatment option offered when you reach out for help. If you're unsure whether it's right for you, talk with your clinician about what to expect. They'll work with you to find the best evidence-based treatment to meet your needs. However, if you're on the fence, consider giving group therapy a try. You might be surprised by how valuable the whole experience is.

Your first step might feel uncertain, but you won't be taking it alone. Thousands of Nova Scotians have discovered that group therapy offers not just treatment, but community—and that makes all the difference.

Looking for help? Anyone in Nova Scotia who is seeking mental health services is able to self-refer by contacting the provincial Mental Health and Addictions Intake Service at 1-855-922-1122 or booking online at prebooking.nshealth.ca. The Intake team is trained to assess and navigate folks to the most appropriate services, with clinicians working with clients and their families to match them to available treatment options. 
 

Photo of (L-R) Dr. Jeff Bailey and Dr. Jenna Whitney