What Is Group Counseling?

Group counseling is a form of psychotherapy in which a small number (typically 3 to 15 participants) meet face-to-face to work through various concerns under the guidance of one or two mental health professionals. Such groups can provide support for individuals struggling on their own and may be a particularly good fit for individuals needing motivation and accountability for change.

Group counseling can be helpful both as a sole form of therapy and used as a supplement to individual therapy. Most groups meet regularly - usually once or twice weekly - in sessions that last from one to two hours.

Types of group counseling

Groups focused on a specific disorder or concern

Some group therapy programs focus on a specific diagnosis or concern, such as depression, anger management, substance use, or grief, while others are open to people facing a broader range of challenges. Condition-specific groups are often more structured and may be a good fit if you are looking for targeted support or skills related to a particular issue. In contrast, more general groups can be a good fit if your concerns are less clearly defined or overlap multiple areas.

Groups also differ in whether they are “open” or “closed.” Open groups allow new members to join at any time and are common in community-based health centers, non-profits, and hospital-based clinics. Alternatively, closed groups have a fixed set of participants who start and finish together and typically run for a defined period (e.g., 6 months). Closed groups may be a better fit if you prefer consistency, a structured format, and the opportunity to build deeper connections with the same group members.

Groups focused on a specific type of therapy

Not only may groups address a specific problem (anxiety, depression, substance use, etc.), but they may also utilize a specific therapeutic approach. For example, some groups employ a cognitive-behavioral framework, adapted from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with the goal of imparting techniques for improving the connection between thoughts and behaviors. These groups can be particularly effective in helping group members identify and overcome negative thought patterns that keep them stuck in nonproductive behavioral cycles.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) groups are another common type of group that typically focus on teaching concrete skills such as emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT groups are commonly recommended for people struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or others with intense emotions and/or impulsive behaviors.

Groups that focus on psychoeducation

Psychoeducation refers to the teaching about mental health conditions, symptoms, and coping strategies, with the goal of helping individuals better understand what they are experiencing and how to manage it. Many therapy groups include a psychoeducation component, but they differ in how central it is to the group.

Groups focused mainly on psychoeducation are typically led by an instructor and rely less on interaction among group members and more on information and skills presented by the group leader, usually on a specific aspect of psychological functioning, such as in overcoming phobias or recovery from addiction.

What is the difference between group counseling, group therapy, and support groups?

In most cases, the terms “group counseling” and “group therapy” are used interchangeably. However, these groups differ from support groups, which are typically led by peers, rather than a mental health professional. Support groups tend to be larger, open groups, with no fixed end-point.

While group counseling sessions are typically oriented to give clients tools to change thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are not serving them well, support groups are more oriented to helping people cope with difficult ongoing circumstances (such as parenting a developmentally disabled child or managing fertility challenges).

What are the benefits of group counseling?

Emotional support

Initial hesitation to discuss personal problems and deep concerns with a room full of strangers is understandable, but participants typically find the group experience extremely rewarding. Having a mental health concern can be isolating, and individuals often feel that they are the only person struggling; participating in a group relieves the burden of isolation and, often, the shame that can come with it.

Motivation and hope

Group members can act as a sounding board and give helpful advice based on firsthand knowledge of a given problem. They have perspective on which coping strategies have worked for them and which have not. In addition, in group counseling, participants make a commitment not only to themselves but to everyone in the group. They can hold each other accountable for making real progress on the changes they wish to see in their lives. Witnessing group members making therapeutic progress can instil hope that change is possible.

Social skills

Group counseling offers a supportive environment for developing and practicing social skills. The group leader(s) can observe firsthand any unhelpful habits that may be causing problems in the participants’ real-life relationships and offer practical, immediate suggestions. Through group counseling exercises, participants can experiment with new behaviors and different ways of communicating with others.

Professional guidance

Group counseling sessions are led by mental health professionals with expertise in common interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). Group leaders will have experience helping clients with similar issues and will have a set of proven tips for participants to begin practicing in exercises during their sessions. Participants will end group counseling with some practical tools that they can carry out into the real world to improve their own lives and relationships.

Affordability

Even with insurance, individual therapy sessions can be a significant out-of-pocket expense, and costs vary widely depending on your location, the type of therapist you see, and their level of training and experience. Group counseling, however, is typically less expensive than individual therapy, with most sessions costing far less than individual session rates. Depending on the location and type of therapy, some group counseling may even be free or very low-cost, particularly at community health centers.

The group counseling process

While the structure of group counseling can vary depending on the setting and therapeutic approach, most groups follow a similar overall process. Before joining, participants typically complete a screening with the group therapist to determine whether the group is a good fit for their needs and goals.

Once an individual joins a group, each session typically includes a check-in, group discussion guided by the therapist, and sometimes structured exercises or skills practice. For instance, in a group focused on the development of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills, the group may practice identifying unhelpful thought patterns and using techniques such as cognitive reframing or exposure exercises. Over time, group members build trust with others in the group and practice new ways of coping or communicating that they can use outside of the group.

How to get started with group therapy

Many therapists offer group therapy, often as an adjunct to individual therapy. If a person is already engaging in individual therapy, their therapist may recommend group counseling, either instead of or as a complement to their current treatment. Clients can also discuss the possibility of group counseling with their therapist or ask for recommendations for group counseling with another therapist.

For those who are not currently in therapy, group counseling is often offered by hospitals and mental health clinics, community centers, and universities. You can inquire at these settings to get a list of their current group offerings.