What is group therapy?
Group Therapy is a supportive counseling process which brings several individuals together to share life experiences, ideas and emotions in an effort to achieve resolution of personal issues.
During these group therapy sessions, your Optimal Mind Psychiatry professional will act as the group leader and will provide an opportunity for interaction so that all participants can discover insights into their common problems through the words, thoughts and responses of the group.
This form of therapy helps give individuals in the group a sense of validation that they are not alone in their struggles while gaining access to different perspectives on how to cope. Engaging in group counseling encourages you to express your feelings without fear of judgment or negative repercussions which can be difficult when discussing personal issues within individual therapy.
Benefits of Group Therapy
Group therapy is an excellent way to get support and encouragement during difficult times. Some of the many benefits of group counseling sessions include:
-
A sense of belonging in an environment where everyone’s feelings are heard, understood, and validated without judgment
-
Reduced feelings of loneliness or isolation as a result of mental health challenges
-
Increased feelings of self-worth and awareness
-
DBT-based skills to learn how to better manage emotions
Group counseling or psychotherapy sessions allow members of the group to not only provide support, but also practice new healthy behavior patterns while being provided with feedback from others in the session.