Group Therapy Online (Australia) As A Form Of Mental Health Support For Well-Being

Group psychotherapy can offer clients a supportive environment for healing in community, potentially also fostering interpersonal and relationship skills. Through virtual group therapy, patients can participate in evidence-based online treatment, helping them foster emotional well-being without leaving home. Here, we’ll explore more of the many possible benefits of group sessions—particularly those that take place online. We’ll also take a look at types of online group therapy available for people in Australia as well as conditions and issues it may help address.

Group therapy online (Australia) for mental health support

Group therapy facilitated by a mental health professional is seen as a unique specialty, as it involves the treatment of multiple individuals at once. By addressing concerns in a group setting, individuals may be able to gain more self-awareness and improve their mental health symptoms while feeling understood and supported by others in the group.

People who don’t have group therapy options near them, can’t easily commute to group sessions in person, or would simply feel more comfortable with virtual support may prefer this option.

When delivered online, group therapy can be a convenient way for many Australian individuals living in remote locations to receive support. This format may also allow you to connect with others in the group who may be located anywhere, widening the range of people you meet, share experiences with, and gain perspectives from. 

How an Australian might benefit from engaging in group therapy

Online group therapy sessions present clients with the unique opportunity to not only address mental health concerns or life challenges, but also connect with peers. With group therapy, participants have a forum where they can develop strategies for common challenges, build empathy, and experience the benefits of therapist support. Some common advantages of participating in group therapy of any type—whether online or in person—include:

• Effective support for common concerns. Research suggests that group therapy may be similarly effective to individual therapy for treating anxiety and depression.
• Diverse perspectives. In group therapy, individuals with various backgrounds and experiences can share their stories, coping strategies, and viewpoints, offering a wide range of perspectives.
• Shared experiences. Despite the diversity of perspectives in the group, you may find it comforting that everyone has a shared experience in the topic of the group, whether it’s grief or social anxiety or another subject. This fact may also help decrease loneliness or isolation.
• Improved communication skills. Under the guidance of a therapist, group participants may be able to improve their communication and interpersonal skills through the way they engage with others in the group.

Key benefits of engaging in group therapy online in Australia for mental health support

Many people may also feel more comfortable opening up virtually rather than face to face, which may help improve therapeutic outcomes. Plus, online group therapy tends to be even more cost-effective than in-person care.

What is Australian group therapy used for?

Group therapy with mental health professionals can help address many types of mental health conditions. Some groups may also be geared toward helping people navigate specific types of life challenges outside of diagnosable conditions.

What conditions can in-person or online group therapy address? Anxiety, grief, and more

Using a range of different modalities—cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), etc.—group therapists can address many different psychiatric disorders. In-person or online group therapy guided by mental health professionals may benefit many Australian individuals, such as those who may be struggling with:

• Depression
• Anxiety (social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, etc.)
• Eating disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Substance use disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Anger management
• Major life transitions
• Divorce
• Grief

Online group sessions may also be centered around neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder), personality disorders (e.g., borderline personality disorder), or other mental health-related challenges (e.g., low self-esteem). When searching for a group, consider using phrases like “child development group therapy” or “group therapy for adults with ADHD”. 

What approach is used in group therapy led by mental health professionals?

Different approaches may be used in in-person or online group therapy to offer mental health support. The approach used usually depends on the shared concern. For example, an Australian individual struggling with anxiety might partake in a cognitive behavioral therapy group.

Common group therapy modalities

Among the most common online group therapy types include:

• Cognitive behavioral groups, where mental health professionals help individuals understand the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. They do this by teaching participants how to identify and reframe unhelpful patterns that may be contributing to their symptoms and concerns.
• Interpersonal group therapy, where individuals learn to recognize how past relationships affect their present functioning, allowing members to safely explore feelings, needs, and experiences 
• Skills development groups, where individuals can learn socialization skills, emotional regulation, and coping strategies
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) groups, where individuals learn core DBT skills: emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal skills like establishing boundaries and conflict resolution
• Psychoeducational group therapy, which focuses on educating individuals on various aspects of a shared mental health condition while offering strategies for coping with them
• Mood management courses, such as the one offered by those who fill out an interest form via the Black Dog Institute, where group members receive guidance on developing habits and ways of thinking that can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety using cognitive behavioral therapy principles
• General counselling, such as the group offered by Limbic Flow, where members support each other while developing personal goals, building self-awareness, resilience, and learning new ways of relating to others. Australian individuals who live within the Monash Modified Model (MMM) classification 4–7 in Australia may be eligible for up to 10 sessions of covered therapy.

Common in-person or online group therapy activities 

Mental health professionals who lead therapy groups may use a variety of different strategies to get members to connect in a meaningful and constructive way and to learn new skills. Some examples of these techniques may include:

• Warm-up activities, such as playing games like "two truths and a lie" to get to know each other, build connection, and reduce nervousness in group members
• Thought replacement, where one individual is asked to identify an automatic negative thought, and another member comes up with a positive replacement thought. One example might be the first person saying, "I can never get things right" and the other group member replacing that thought with "How about that time you managed just fine?" 
• Mindful breathing exercises, where individuals are asked to breathe consciously while letting thoughts come and go without judgment

How group sessions are conducted for anxiety, depression, and other concerns

Australian mental health professionals conducting group therapy may vary in style and approach. Often, it depends on the group's goals, the modality used, how long the sessions are, and other factors. Skills development groups, for example, may focus on participants practicing skills, such as managing emotions like anger and communicating effectively. Other groups, such as those focused on grief, may depend more on individual sharing and conversation.

Support for parents and families

Participating in online group therapy allows parents and other family members to receive support, meet new people, and find solutions to common challenges. Caregivers of people with mental health concerns can experience unique difficulties that peers may not be able to relate to or understand. For example, parents of a child with ADHD may not know anyone with insights into managing the disorder. In such a case, finding people who can provide valuable advice and support may simply be a matter of finding an online therapy group dedicated to addressing childhood ADHD. 

The importance of group cohesion

Findings indicate that various factors can contribute to successful outcomes of mental health support through group therapy. One study suggests that a key factor is group cohesion. This means that group members who experience a sense of acceptance and support in the group dynamic, including from the mental health professional who leads it, may be more likely to see improvements. 

Tailored approaches and ongoing treatment

Another benefit of online therapy is that professionals can employ a tailored approach based on the unique needs of group members. Often, the provider will conduct an assessment to find out the specific challenges members are experiencing, the severity of certain mental health challenges, or other considerations that can help them create a targeted program. For example, based on preliminary evaluations, an anxiety group leader may decide that multiple sessions dedicated to managing severe panic attacks may be necessary.   

Group therapy can be a key component of an ongoing treatment plan, which may also include individual sessions, medication management, and other forms of care. Because of the unique format of group therapy, participants may find that sessions are a nice change of pace, providing valuable human connection during challenging times. Whether they’re children, adolescents, or adults, group therapy clients can use sessions to build confidence, address mental health concerns, and thrive.  

Limitations of group therapy

While there can be many benefits to seeking mental health support using this format, online group therapy may not be suitable for everyone. For example, Australian individuals who are uncomfortable with an online format, lack a strong internet connection, or have background distractions may find it challenging to fully participate in online group therapy. 

In addition, those who are experiencing severe conditions or symptoms—like psychosis or thoughts of self-harm—may need to seek immediate, individualized care in person instead. If you’re unsure as to whether group therapy might be right for your situation, it could help to speak to an individual therapist or group therapy leader.

Booking and paying for sessions

Once you’ve found an online therapy group you’d like to participate in, scheduling an appointment is typically a straightforward process. Reserving a spot in a session can often be done online, through the provider or host’s website. Time slots are usually posted online, allowing you to find a period that works with your schedule. Alternatively, you might be able to call or email the group coordinator to find out which times are available. Space in these sessions is often limited, so try to book weeks or months ahead of time, if possible. 

In some cases, participants pay the provider directly, while in others payments are made through an online platform or a subscription cost. The cost of sessions may be covered by some insurance plans, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, or other partners. You may also be able to find free online sessions through some providers. For example, GROW Australia offers free online support groups through its eGROW program.  

Exploring options for online group therapy 

For people who prefer to engage in group therapy sessions virtually, options are available. First, through bulk billing under the Australian Medicare system, eligible individuals may be able to receive free group sessions. 

Another example is group sessions through BetterHelp. When you sign up for a BetterHelp subscription, you will be able to take advantage of various forms of support in addition to your individual counselling sessions—and one of these forms is group sessions called "classes."

Classes through the platform allows you to connect with others on topics that relate to you, from anxiety to grief to LGBTQ+ issues. Each one is led by a mental health professional like a psychologist or qualified therapist, who can help promote constructive interactions between group members and teach useful skills.

The effectiveness of online therapy led by mental health professionals

Studies indicate that online therapy in general can often be as effective as in-person care, and these findings extend to online group therapy. For example, consider one systematic review of 20 studies, which suggests that telehealth group therapy sessions using CBT techniques can often be equally effective as face-to-face therapy.