Group therapy gives help and support through mutual interaction
Group psychotherapy includes 2 kinds of people – (a) therapists and (b) a small number of patients. As the name suggests, one or more than one therapists treat several patients simultaneously. Usually, this kind of therapy is given at various locations and this includes community centers, mental health clinics, hospitals, etc
Group therapy
Typically, 7-12 people are involved in a group therapy and the sessions happens for 1-2 hours once or twice a week. Group therapy sessions are normally carried out throughout the year. And, these sessions can be in 2 forms – open and closed. In an open session, new patients can participate and join. But, in a closed session, only members of the core group can take part in it.
A group of patients meet and talk about their problems
A professional therapist supervises the entire session
The therapist gives a topic on which members have discussions
Sometimes, patients themselves choose a topic of discussion
It helps patients to interact, support and inspire other participants in the group.
Confidence of patients increase as they see that others are also facing similar kinds of problems.
It helps patients to be role models of others in the same group.
It is very cost-effective since therapists can treat a huge group of patients.
It allows patients to take actions in a safe and secure environment.
The therapist can check how patients are behaving in a social situation.
Group therapy is primarily used to treat different kinds of psychological problems and this includes:
Group therapy can be used to treat various kinds of people and they are:
The 8 therapeutic principles of group therapy are given below:
Group therapy helps patients to overcome their problems through mutual interaction, sharing of experiences, learning of new social skills and imitating the behavior of the therapist in a safe and secured environment. It gives a sense of belongingness and a common goal to patients. And this works like a magic for them.