25 Potential Group Counseling Topics For Later In Life

Research has found that the majority of older adults who are in need of mental health treatment do not receive care. Whether you’re experiencing a mental health challenge or working through a life change, it can be difficult to cope on your own sometimes, but there are a variety of support options available, including group therapy. 

During group therapy, you can get support from a licensed professional while also building relationships with other people having similar experiences. For older people, especially those who are no longer in the workplace, this opportunity for social connection can be a major benefit. Here, we’ll explore what group therapy is, its benefits and drawbacks, and potential topics that could be covered in group therapy for older adults. 

The basics of group therapy

Group therapy is different from individual therapy in that it involves both a connection with the therapist as well as the other group members. In group therapy, an individual can benefit from the therapist’s expertise, and they can also build connections with other people who may have had similar experiences and can relate to what they’re going through.  

What is group therapy?

Types of group therapy

Groups typically gather around specific topics such as substance use, physical illness, caregiving, eating disorders, grief, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or other mental health disorders or life experiences. Below are three common types of group therapy:

• Psychoeducational groups are designed to educate participants about their condition and equip them with positive coping methods.
• Skills groups aim to help participants learn and improve coping skills to better manage negative symptoms and reactions.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy groups function in a similar fashion to individual cognitive behavioral therapy. In these groups, members can learn how to take negative thoughts and behaviors and shape them into more positive and productive actions. 

The length of group therapy depends entirely on the needs of the members and can range from weeks to months or years.

What are the benefits of group therapy?

Research has shown that group therapy can provide a number of benefits including:

• Establishing a support network
• Gaining new ideas for how to handle challenges
• Cultivating accountability
• Putting an individual’s problems into perspective as they listen to others
• Gaining exposure to a diverse range of personalities and backgrounds.

Some people with mental health conditions may feel a desire to isolate themselves, which can further exacerbate their symptoms. The community aspect of group therapy can remedy this by promoting social connection and sometimes creating long-lasting relationships between members.

What are the drawbacks of group therapy?

While group therapy has a number of advantages, it’s not for everyone. Members may experience drawbacks such as:

• Individual patients can be difficult to maintain, given the presence of other group members
• An individual may have a weaker relationship with their therapist
• A larger number of patients can increase the chances of conflict, lack of engagement, or someone trying to dominate the conversation
• An inflexible group schedule may cause some to miss sessions since it can be very difficult to reschedule an entire group

Because of its nature, group therapy may not be suitable for people with extremely introverted personalities or those experiencing social anxiety disorders. In addition, some experts recommend that people participate in group therapy along with individual therapy to experience maximum benefits. 

Group therapy vs. support groups

While group therapy and support groups may seem similar, there are some key differences. Group therapy is facilitated by a licensed mental health professional, and the goal of sessions is often to help participants make positive changes in their lives. It typically has a set start and end date, whether therapy is intended to last for 12 sessions or an entire year. Group therapy may be open, where people can join and leave the group, or it may be closed, where the group is closed to new members once sessions begin. 

Support groups are often facilitated by a leader, but this leader may or may not have professional qualifications. Instead, they may have lived experience that gives them a unique perspective on the topic at hand. The goal of support groups is often to help participants cope with massive life changes or traumas, providing them with a community of people going through similar experiences. Support groups often meet on an ongoing basis with no specific start or end date. Many support groups are completely open and allow participants to join and leave at any point, and members may even participate in activities outside of scheduled meetings. 

25 potential group therapy topics for older adults

While they are led by a mental health professional, in some cases, other experts such as financial planners, nutritionists, or personal trainers may be brought in to support the discussion in a specific group therapy session or to facilitate group activities. 

Mental health

1. Depression And Anxiety
2. Coping With Grief And Loss
3. Managing Stress And Anger
4. Building Resilience
5. Improving Self-Esteem
6. Developing Positive Relationships
7. Exploring Your Personal Identity
8. Developing New Social Skills

Physical health

1. Managing Chronic Pain
2. Adapting To Age-Related Health Changes
3. Maintaining Or Creating Healthy Habits
4. Improving Sleep
5. Managing Medications
6. Coping With Disability Or Illness
7. Aging And Sexuality
8. Avoiding Or Managing Substance Use Disorder

Life transitions

1. Retirement Planning
2. Adjusting To Life As A Widow Or Widower
3. Navigating Family Dynamics
4. Building A Social Support System
5. Managing Life Changes
6. Navigating Trauma And PTSD
7. Planning For End-of-Life Care

Other aspects

1. Managing Finances
2. Learning New Skills And Hobbies For Fun

Therapy options for older adults

There are a variety of ways to go about finding a therapist who has experience working with older adults. If you are interested in seeing a therapist in person near you, you can start by asking your primary care provider for a referral or suggestion. Your friends and peers may also be able to point you in the direction of a professional who offers individual or group therapy sessions for older adults. 

Up to 90% of older people with depression don’t receive the mental health treatment they need. A major treatment barrier is that it can be hard to connect with mental health professionals with the experience and training to work with older patients. For those living in small or rural communities, the closest qualified provider may have an office that is a very long drive away. 

One option to overcome this hurdle is to consider the option of online therapy. Large online therapy platforms like BetterHelp offer options to thousands of licensed mental health professionals, which can make it easier to connect with someone qualified to support older adults through life changes and mental health challenges without the limitations of distance.

A 2022 study specifically looked at the impact of internet-based therapy on older adults’ mental health. After examining 11 different studies, the researchers concluded that online therapy could be an effective intervention for treating common mental health disorder symptoms and stress in older adults.