What Is Group Therapy? Types, Benefits, And How It Works
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which one or two therapists work with several people at once. Participants may learn skills, talk through challenges, and support each other. Below, find answers to "what is group therapy?" along with common types, benefits, effectiveness, and tips for finding a group.
What is group therapy?
In group therapy, one or two therapists guide several clients through discussion and skill-building in the same session. According to a StatPearls overview of group therapy, groups in most approaches have about 7 to 10 participants. Sessions often run 90 to 120 minutes, though programs vary.
Groups may meet in individual practices, hospitals, clinics, community centers, or online. Sessions can include guided conversation, skill practice, and group therapy activities such as role-play. Group therapy can resemble other group support, so it may help to know how they differ.
Group therapy vs. support groups
The main difference is who leads the group and why it meets. A therapy group is led by a licensed mental health professional and works toward treatment goals. Peer support groups are led by trained peers with lived experience, and they focus on mutual encouragement rather than treatment.
Feature | Group therapy | Peer support group |
|---|---|---|
Who leads | A licensed mental health professional | Trained peers with lived experience |
Main goal | Treatment goals, like coping skills | Encouragement and connection |
Structure | Often planned, with a set approach | Often open, informal discussion |
For local options, read this guide to finding support groups and group therapy. Group therapy itself comes in several formats.
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Types of group therapy
Therapy groups can take several forms, and different types may have different focal points, such as education, skill-building, or relationships. To compare formats, explore these four types of therapy groups.
Groups based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), for example, tend to be highly structured and may follow patterns similar to individual CBT. Meanwhile, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) often pairs group skills training with individual therapy. For examples, see these DBT group therapy ideas.
Beyond the approach, groups also differ in who can join and when.
Open vs. closed groups
In an open group, new participants can join at any time and stay for as many sessions as they choose. In a closed group, everyone starts together and meets for a set number of sessions.
Closed groups may help participants build stronger bonds because the same people move through the process together. Because spots are limited, you might wait to join one.
Open groups may let you start sooner. Either way, knowing what a session looks like can make the first one feel less intimidating.
What happens in a group therapy session?
A typical session often includes a check-in, a topic or skill introduced by the therapist, and open discussion. You typically don't have to talk before you're ready. Group leaders may invite you to listen first and join in when you feel comfortable.
A session may look like this:
The therapist welcomes everyone and reviews ground rules.
Participants briefly check in about their week.
The therapist introduces a topic, skill, or exercise.
The group discusses, practices, or role-plays the skill.
Participants reflect on what they learned and wrap up.
Many groups set group agreements early on, such as keeping what others say within the group and listening without judgment.
Leaders may spark conversation with prompts like these discussion questions for group therapy.
Some groups also use art, writing, or outings, as these therapy group ideas for adults show. Group activities like these can support a range of concerns.
What can group therapy help with?
Group therapy can address a wide range of concerns. A 2023 American Psychological Association (APA) feature reported that group therapy was found to be effective for these conditions:
- Depression and bipolar disorders
- Anxiety disorders, including social anxiety and panic disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Eating disorders
- Borderline personality disorder
- Substance use disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Chronic pain
If you'd like 1:1 support with one of these concerns, you can get matched with a licensed therapist. Next, explore what a group setting may offer.
Benefits of group therapy
Learning alongside others may offer advantages that are harder to find in one-on-one sessions. Hearing from several people may give you fresh perspectives on a challenge you're facing, and practicing skills with others can make them feel more natural.
Groups may also help you build confidence and try new ways of relating to others in a supportive setting. For a deeper look at tradeoffs, see this overview of the benefits and considerations of group psychotherapy. Some potential benefits can include:
- Practicing communication skills in real time
- Receiving feedback from peers as well as the therapist
- Learning coping strategies that have helped others
The American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) practice guidelines, as summarized by StatPearls, describe several evidence-based therapeutic factors, including:
- Universality: Realizing others in the group have similar feelings and problems
- Instillation of hope: Feeling hopeful after seeing others in the group make progress
- Cohesiveness: The positive emotional connection among participants, considered a core way groups work.
These benefits raise a question: how well do therapy groups work?
Is group therapy effective?
For many conditions, studies summarized by the APA suggest group therapy may be about as effective as individual therapy. The American Psychological Association published this 2023 APA review of group therapy research in its Monitor on Psychology, which described 11 meta-analyses of 329 studies comparing the two formats. Results can vary by condition, so the best format may depend on your needs.
A 2021 American Journal of Psychotherapy article by Rosendahl and colleagues reviews recent group psychotherapy research, including studies comparing group and individual formats.
A side-by-side comparison may clarify which format fits your needs.
Group therapy vs. individual therapy
The biggest difference is format: group sessions involve several participants and one or two therapists, while individual therapy takes place one-on-one. Individual sessions may address a wide variety of concerns. Groups, by contrast, often center on a specific topic or skill.
Factor | Group therapy | Individual therapy |
|---|---|---|
Format | Several participants, one or two therapists | One client, one therapist |
Attention | Time is divided among participants | The full session focuses on you |
Cost | May cost less; fees vary | Fees vary by provider and plan |
May suit | People who want peer connections | People who want focused attention |
To see how 1:1 sessions work, read about one-on-one individual counseling.
Both use conversation as a tool for change, as this guide on how talk therapy works explains. A few signs may suggest whether a group is your next step.
How to know if group therapy is right for you
Group therapy may be a good fit if you're motivated to grow, open to feedback, and willing to talk about your feelings with others.
Focused groups can help you find people with related goals, as these men's group therapy topics show. Groups for women may explore other themes, such as these topics in women's group therapy.
StatPearls notes that people in acute distress may find a group hard to tolerate. If you're in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or contact local emergency services. BetterHelp isn't designed for crisis support.
Questions about cost often come next.
Group therapy cost and insurance
Because one clinician works with several people at once, group therapy may cost less than individual therapy, but fees vary by program. Insurance may cover group psychotherapy, though coverage depends on your plan. Contact your insurer to confirm what's included.
Once you have a sense of cost, the next step is finding a group.
How to find a therapy group
Asking a provider you already see, or contacting local clinics and centers, can be a helpful place to start. Therapy groups may focus on specific concerns, so it can help to know your goals first. Consider a few of these starting points:
- Ask your therapist whether they lead or recommend a group.
- Ask your primary care provider for a referral.
- Contact a community mental health center.
- Check hospitals and university clinics for group programs.
If a group therapy option isn't available nearby, exploring common types of therapy may help you weigh other paths. Online formats may widen your options.
Online group sessions and online therapy
Meeting remotely, such as by video or phone, lets participants and a therapist connect from different locations. This format may make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week or join from home, and research shows that online group therapy can be similarly effective as face-to-face group therapy for various concerns.
BetterHelp offers individual therapy with a licensed therapist, along with group sessions focused on education about mental health. You can schedule sessions at times that fit your life and get matched with a therapist you connect with.
While BetterHelp may not offer group therapy, it can be an appropriate start to learn more about online therapy in general and get individual support. Learn more about online therapy with BetterHelp.
Takeaway
How long does group therapy last?
Group sessions often last 90 to 120 minutes, though programs vary. Closed-ended groups often run for a set number of sessions. Open-ended groups may continue over time, so participants can stay as long as they find it helpful.
Is group therapy covered by insurance?
Group psychotherapy is sometimes covered by insurance, but not always. Coverage varies by plan, so contact your insurance provider to ask about group psychotherapy benefits and copays. Even without coverage, group sessions may cost less than individual sessions, though fees vary by program.
Can you do group therapy and individual therapy at the same time?
Yes, you can attend group sessions and individual therapy at the same time. Some approaches, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), commonly pair group skills training with individual sessions. If you're considering both, ask your therapist how each format can support your goals.
What are the five stages of group therapy?
The five stages of group therapy are often listed as forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning, according to StatPearls. Participants may get acquainted, voice differing opinions, build trust, work toward goals, and then reflect as the group ends. Not every group moves through each stage in order.
What are common group therapy rules?
Common group therapy rules include keeping what others say within the group, treating everyone with respect, and participating actively. Groups may also ask participants to listen without judgment and arrive on time. Your therapist may review these agreements in the first session.
Are online therapy groups effective?
Online therapy groups may be effective for many people. Before joining an online therapy group, you can ask the provider about their training, approach, and the group's focus.
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